SB Nation DC - Capitals Vs. Blue Jackets: Washington Rallies Behind Alexander Ovechkin, Wins 4-2https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-01-01T10:59:05-05:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24370782012-01-01T10:59:05-05:002012-01-01T10:59:05-05:00Capitals Vs. Blue Jackets: Washington Wins 4-2 Behind Two Alexander Ovechkin Goals
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<p>The Washington Capitals (20-15-2, 42 points) and Alexander Ovechkin ended 2011 in style, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> (10-23-5, 25 points) by a score of 4-2 on New Year's Eve.</p>
<p>Ovechkin scored twice in the third period, half of the Capitals goals in a six-plus minute span in the final stanza Saturday night.. After scoring just eight goals in Washington's first 29 games, Ovechkin now has seven goals in his last eight games, including a six-game scoring streak during which he has amassed six goals and three assists.</p>
<p>As a team, the Capitals have scored 12 third-period goals in their last six games. They have 46 in the final period this season. Columbus, on the other hand, has been outscored 52-26 in the final period this year.</p>
<p>Netminder <span>Tomas Vokoun</span> had 35 saves for the Caps.</p>
<p><i>Check out the Capitals <a href="https://www.japersrink.com//schedule" target="_blank">complete schedule here</a>. For more news, discussion, and analysis on the <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a>, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.japersrink.com/">Japers' Rink</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2012/1/1/2674070/capitals-vs-blue-jackets-washington-wins-4-2-behind-two-alexanderT.J. Doyle2011-12-31T15:30:37-05:002011-12-31T15:30:37-05:00Capitals Vs. Blue Jackets: Cody Eakin To Play, Tomas Vokoun To Start
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<p><span>Cody Eakin</span> will play for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> Saturday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> in place of <span>Jay Beagle</span>, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/post/cody-eakin-will-be-in-capitals-lineup-against-columbus/2011/12/31/gIQAhLWfSP_blog.html">according to <i>The Washington Post</i>'s Katie Carrera</a>.</p>
<p>The Caps recalled Eakin after Friday's 3-1 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a>. Eakin was at Verizon Center during the game and traveled with the team Friday night. According to head coach Dale Hunter, Eakin will play to give Jay Beagle a break after recently returning from a two-month layoff with a concussion. Hunter also felt like Eakin deserved to rewarded for his play since his assignment to AHL Hershey; in four games with the Bears, Eakin has four goals and an assist.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <span>Tomas Vokoun</span> will start his third consecutive game after allowing only two goals in his last two starts.</p>
<p><span>Jeff Schultz</span> will likely be the defensive healthy scratch. He has appeared in just five games under Hunter. <span>Mike Green</span> is on the trip, but will not play after the team placed him on injured reserve Friday. It is retroactive from November 11 and he can be activated at any time.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/12/31/2673041/capitals-vs-blue-jackets-cody-eakin-tomas-vokounAdam Vingan2011-12-31T11:14:25-05:002011-12-31T11:14:25-05:00Capitals Vs. Blue Jackets: Washington Ends 2011 In Columbus Against Lowly Jackets
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<img alt="WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: Curtis Sanford #30 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save against Alexander Semin #28 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on September 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ziahB7HljJZ8AuUdC_QE1sj4Kx8=/3x0:996x662/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4203246/127230401.jpg" />
<figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: Curtis Sanford #30 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save against Alexander Semin #28 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on September 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Caps look to celebrate the end of 2011 Saturday in a New Year's Eve bash against the Blue Jackets.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> fire a cannon whenever the team scores at home. On New Year's Eve at Nationwide Arena, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> hope that their 2011 doesn't go out with a bang against the lowly Blue Jackets.</p>
<p>Friday, the Caps exacted revenge on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a> in a 3-1 win after the latter had won the first two matchups in convincing fashion. <span>Alex Ovechkin</span> scored twice, while <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span> scored his 100th career goal and <span>Tomas Vokoun</span> made 25 saves.</p>
<p>Saturday, Washington turns its attention to Columbus, the NHL's worst team. A 10-22-5 record through the 2011 portion of the season so far leaves much cause for concern for a team that thought they would contend after making several key acquisitions this summer. One of said acquisitions, <span>James Wisniewski</span>, broke his ankle Thursday and is out for six weeks. Yet, the Blue Jackets still have <span>Rick Nash</span>, who has torched the Caps; in just eight career games against Washington, Nash has 11 points (seven goals, four assists).</p>
<p>The Caps, meanwhile, will look to improve their road record. After three straight losses away from home, the Caps have a 6-10-1 road record, one of the worst in the NHL.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/12/31/2672441/capitals-vs-blue-jackets-previewAdam Vingan