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Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals Preview

By Aaron Winland

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 23: Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a second period save on a shot by Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (77) on March 23, 2017, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The Washington Capitals defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 23: Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a second period save on a shot by Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (77) on March 23, 2017, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The Washington Capitals defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin /

The Washington Capitals have plenty of weapons at their disposal, including their captain, Alex Ovechkin.

The Capitals top six forwards are difficult to stop. Alex Ovechkin currently leads not only his own team but all of the NHL in goals (18).  He has five goals in the last five games.  The Blue Jackets must limit Ovechkin’s shot opportunities to win the game.

If the CBJ are successful in limiting Ovechkin, they have to deal with T.J. Oshie (10) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (8).  Kuznetsov leads the team in total points with 28, five coming in the last five games. Ovechkin has 25. Oshie has 22 points.

If the team has a weakness, it is their defense. They are currently allowing 3.1 goals per game (21st in the NHL). Their top defensive line of Brooks Orpik and John Carlson are -6 and -10 respectively using the plus-minus statistic.

That is until you get to get to their goalies.  Holtby has been struggling some this season. However, the last few seasons, he has been in the race for the Vezina Trophy at the end of the season.

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