Capitals Face Off Against Columbus
The Washington Capitals will face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 24 at Nationwide Arena. This match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be aired on MNMT. Fans can also tune in to 106.7 THE FAN or the Caps Radio Network for live coverage.
Match Preview: Capitals vs. Blue Jackets
In this early-season clash, the Capitals hold a record of 5-2-0, while the Blue Jackets stand at 3-3-0. Washington is looking to continue its momentum after a successful homestand where it recorded a solid 3-1-0 record.
Following a decisive 4-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, the Capitals took a break before returning to practice on Thursday. The match against Columbus will mark the first meeting between these teams in the 2025-26 season.
Player Updates
Washington’s defenseman Rasmus Sandin will miss the game against Columbus due to an upper body injury. Coach Spencer Carbery has described Sandin’s condition as day-to-day. In contrast, center P-L Dubois, who has been sidelined for nearly two weeks due to a lower body issue, participated in Thursday’s practice and is expected to travel with the team.
- Rasmus Sandin: Day-to-day, not traveling to Columbus
- P-L Dubois: Practiced Thursday, possible to play
Rookie forward Ryan Leonard has emerged as a standout player for the Capitals. With his game-winning goal against Seattle, he became the youngest Washington rookie to score in consecutive games since Nicklas Backstrom in 2008. Leonard currently ranks 71st among NHL forwards for average ice time, at 12:21 minutes per game.
Recent Performance
The Capitals previously defeated the Blue Jackets twice during the preseason, winning both matches by slim margins. In late-season encounters last year, Columbus managed to sweep the Capitals in a back-to-back series. The Jackets, finishing the previous season with six consecutive wins, displayed impressive scoring capabilities.
Columbus demonstrated its offensive power early in this season, with notable games including a seven-goal performance against Minnesota and a five-goal outing against Dallas. Their defense has also been formidable, allowing only one goal per game at even strength this season, alongside the Capitals and New York Rangers.
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for this matchup, the Capitals aim to leverage their offensive depth and recent success, while the Blue Jackets seek to stabilize their performance in hopes of securing a playoff position this season. Fans can expect an exciting game when the Capitals and Blue Jackets face off.
