Blue Jackets Look To Tie NHL Record

The Columbus Blue Jackets (27-5-4 SU, 24-12 ATS) will attempt to push their winning streak to 17 games on Thursday against the Washington Capitals (7PM ET on FOX). If they succeed, the Jackets would tie an NHL record for consecutive wins, which was set back in 1992-93 by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Columbus leads the NHL with 58 points, seven ahead of the Capitals. Not surprisingly, the Blue Jackets have the league’s top offense, averaging 3.46 goals per game. That team stat is partially the result of a standout first half of the season by right winger Cam Atkinson (17 goals, 20 assists). Atkinson is on pace to smash his previous season high of 53 points, which he set last season.

The Capitals (23-9-5 SU, 12-25 ATS), meanwhile, are third in the Eastern Conference and are currently riding a three-game winning streak of their own, most recently defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5 in overtime on Tuesday. Their success is largely due to team defense; they sit first in the NHL for defense, giving up a miniscule 2.06 goals per game. Goaltender Brayden Holtby (1.98 goals against average, .929 save percentage) will look to continue his solid 2016-17 campaign and end the Jackets’ run one win short of the record.