
Washington visits Columbus after shootout victory
Washington Capitals (50-19-9, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (36-33-9, in the Metropolitan Division)
Columbus, Ohio; Saturday, 12:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Columbus Blue Jackets host the Washington Capitals after the Capitals took down the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in a shootout.
Columbus has gone 36-33-9 overall with a 9-10-3 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets have given up 265 goals while scoring 247 for a -18 scoring differential.
Washington has gone 50-19-9 overall with a 16-6-0 record in Metropolitan Division games. The Capitals have a 17-6-3 record in games their opponents commit more penalties.
Saturday's game is the third time these teams match up this season. The Capitals won 2-1 in overtime in the previous matchup. Aliaksei Protas led the Capitals with two goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kirill Marchenko has 31 goals and 40 assists for the Blue Jackets. Boone Jenner has seven goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Alexander Ovechkin has 42 goals and 28 assists for the Capitals. Dylan Strome has four goals and six assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Jackets: 5-5-0, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.7 assists, 3.2 penalties and 7.6 penalty minutes while giving up four goals per game.
Capitals: 5-4-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.4 assists, 4.3 penalties and 13.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game.
INJURIES: Blue Jackets: None listed.
Capitals: None listed.
___
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Carolina Hurricanes' 2025 UFAs
The Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 season came to a close a few weeks prior, falling in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. While the team's main roster is still primarily set, there's a few pieces that will be without contracts. Advertisement Whether they get offered extensions or wind up moving on somewhere else is to be seen, but here's the players whose deals are set to expire on July 1. Check out the Canes' 2025 RFAs here. Brent Burns 40, RHD 6g, 29pts, 82gp, 20:57 ATOI Last Contract: 8 years, $8 million AAV Burns' offensive game has certainly taken a hit as he ages, but the veteran defenseman has managed to find himself in a useful niche for the Hurricanes as he's adapted his game to more of a shutdown role. The 40-year-old ironman is still a good player (especially on the penalty kill) due to his high hockey IQ and active stick and I could see him returning on a short and cheap, veteran deal. Lots of interest on both sides to make something happen. 'We Love It Here And Would Love For It To Work Out': Brent Burns 2024-25 Exit Interview 'We Love It Here And Would Love For It To Work Out': Brent Burns 2024-25 Exit Interview The Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 season Advertisement came to a close earlier this week as the team lost in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. Dmitry Orlov 33, LHD 6g, 28pts, 76gp, 20:00 ATOI Last Contract: 2 years, $7.75 million AAV Despite how his season may have ended, Orlov was an effective defenseman for the Hurricanes the last two years paired alongside Jalen Chatfield. The Russian was part of one of the top puck possession pairs in the league and he played a lot of big minutes for Carolina. But there's no denying how tough of a look the Eastern Conference Final was for him, especially in Game 3. Orlov should still have interest around the league, but the Canes have younger options coming up (Alexander Nikishin), so they can't afford to create a logjam there. 'Of Course You Want To Stay': Dmitry Orlov 2024-25 Exit Interview 'Of Course You Want To Stay': Dmitry Orlov 2024-25 Exit Interview The Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 season Advertisement came to a close earlier this week as the team lost in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. Eric Robinson 29, LW/RW 14g, 32pts, 82gp, 12:16 ATOI Last Contract: 1 year, $950,000 Robinson looked to be potentially on the outside coming into training camp, but a strong preseason got him a shot on the roster and he never looked back. The veteran forward was a perfect fit for the Canes with his fast skating and physical forechecking and he was also able to slot up and down the lineup. A career year has set him up for a significant pay raise, but there's still interest on both sides to make something work. 'I'm Definitely Interested In Re-Signing': Eric Robinson 2024-25 Exit Interview 'I'm Definitely Interested In Re-Signing': Eric Robinson 2024-25 Exit Interview The Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 season Advertisement came to a close earlier this week as the team lost in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. Jack Roslovic 28, C/RW 22g, 39pts, 81gp, 13:49 ATOI Last Contract: 1 year, $2.8 million It's not often that you see a 20+ goal scorer as a healthy scratch in the postseason, but that was sort of the story for Jack Roslovic this season. There's no denying that there's talent there, especially with how effective of a scorer he was to start the season and his strong faceoff numbers, but the stylistic fit just didn't seem to be there and in the playoffs, the Canes opted to go with different options. Healthy Scratch To Impact Player: Jack Roslovic Stepping Up For Carolina Hurricanes Healthy Scratch To Impact Player: Jack Roslovic Stepping Up For Carolina Hurricanes Jack Roslovic wasn't on the ice when the Carolina Hurricanes clinched their first-round series. He wasn't even on the bench. Tyson Jost 27, C 4g, 9pts, 14gp (AHL) / 4g, 9pts, 39gp, 10:22 ATOI (NHL) Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000 Jost entered the Hurricanes' training camp as the odd-man out and started the year in the AHL. However, he worked his way back up to the NHL before an injury sidelined him too. A useful utility forward, Jost was well liked in the room and was the type of player that would do anything asked of him. 'I Know I'm A Good Player': Tyson Jost Hoping To Make Most Of Opportunity With Carolina 'I Know I'm A Good Player': Tyson Jost Hoping To Make Most Of Opportunity With Carolina The 26-year-old veteran of nearly 500 NHL games is hoping prove he belongs in the league again after finding himself as a NHL/AHL tweener. Juha Jaaska 27, LW/C/RW 12g, 33pts, 53gp (AHL) / 0g, 4pts, 18gp (NHL) Last Contract: 1 year, $850,000 After nine seasons in Liiga, Finland's top league, the Hurricanes took notice of Jaaska and offered him his first North American deal. The versatile forward clicked immediately in Chicago, and eventually, his hard work was rewarded with an extensive look in the NHL. I feel like an extension makes sense for both sides here. Carolina Hurricanes Rookie Picks Up First Career Point Against Toronto Maple Leafs Carolina Hurricanes Rookie Picks Up First Career Point Against Toronto Maple Leafs Juha Jaaska assisted on the game winner for his first NHL point. Riley Stillman 27, LHD 3g, 9pts, 35gp (AHL) / 0pts, 5gp (NHL) Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000 Stillman spent the majority of the regular season as the seventh defenseman for Carolina, but was eventually leapfrogged by a couple of rookie standouts (Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin) later in the season and in the playoffs. Spencer Martin 30, G 0.909 Sv%, 31gp (AHL) / 0.846 Sv%, 9gp (NHL) Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000 The journeyman goaltender didn't have as strong of an NHL stint as he did for Carolina last year, with only one NHL game with a save percentage over 0.900 this season. However, he had strong AHL numbers on a team that had a lot of growing pains. Dustin Tokarski 35, G 0.897 Sv%, 21gp (AHL) / 0.902 Sv%, 6gp (NHL) Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000 When Frederik Andersen wound up on the shelf following knee surgery in November, the Hurricanes realized that they had to shore up their goaltending position for a bit and so they signed the veteran to a deal off of his AHL PTO. From sitting at home without a gig to eventually getting back into some NHL action is not a bad swing at all. Dustin Tokarski Leads Carolina To Victory Nearly Two Years Since Last Start Dustin Tokarski Leads Carolina To Victory Nearly Two Years Since Last Start The 35-year-old veteran stopped 27 shots in Carolina's 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Joakim Ryan 31, LHD 2g, 8pts, 59gp Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000 The Swedish defenseman returned to North America after three years in the SHL and was a veteran presence on a very young Chicago Wolves squad. Recent Stories • The Carolina Hurricanes' 2025 RFAs • Jaccob Slavin Finishes Top-10 In Norris Voting For League's Top Defenseman • Pair Of Hurricanes Prospects Earn Unprecedented Honor Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan voted Masterton Trophy winner
Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan is the winner of the 2024-25 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. It's the first time a Blue Jacket has won the award, which is presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. No player in the league exemplified those qualities more than Monahan, who was voted the Masterton winner by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Monahan, 30, signed with the Blue Jackets on July 1, 2024, primarily to reunite with Johnny Gaudreau. The two were close friends after playing nearly a decade together in Calgary, so Monahan jumped at a chance to rekindle that spark as a free agent — two years after Gaudreau stunned the NHL by picking the Blue Jackets. Advertisement Instead, an offseason tragedy that took the lives of Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, on Aug. 29, 2024, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey dashed those plans, leaving Monahan emotionally gutted. His Columbus debut began with a heavy heart, forcing Monahan and his new teammates to bond through shared grief and fond memories of Gaudreau. 'John's someone who brings people together," Monahan said after the the NHL announced him as the Masterton winner June 5. "So, going to a new team, everyone knew him well, and I said it plenty of times this year ... I felt like that was where I was supposed to be, playing in Columbus. And I don't take that for granted. Being a Blue Jacket, what it means to be a Blue Jacket and the guys I'm surrounded with every day in the organization and my teammates, it's a real special place to play." Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan waves to his son, Leo, and wife, Brittany, during warm-ups before Columbus' season finale, an April 17 game against the Islanders. Monahan became a special part of the Blue Jackets' lineup while centering the top forward line and playing the critical "bumper" position for the first power-play group. Together, Monahan and the Blue Jackets became the NHL's most improved team, improving by 23 points from 2023-24, and nearly qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs under new head coach Dean Evason. Advertisement Monahan, who missed more than two months with a wrist injury, was a driving force with 19 goals, 38 assists and 57 points in just 54 games. "I was playing with some great players, and I was confident in my game," Monahan said. "I worked really hard to get back to where I wanted to be, and I think I've still got a lot to prove and a lot to prove to myself. I think we should be a playoff team every year. This year was a bit of a step forward, but we didn't get where we wanted to, so ... it's a big summer for our group to get ready for next season.' Sep 18, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan speaks during media day press conference at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets start training camp on Sept. 19. Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau's widow, presented Monahan with the trophy in a surprise visit to his offseason home near Toronto. The NHL shared a moving video on social media of her surprising Monahan with the award, and both had tears flowing. Advertisement "I had no idea," Monahan said. "I was kind of waiting around all dressed up for a while because I was told we were doing family photos, and my mom was here and was going to help us with the little guy (1-year old Leo) and to get set up. It definitely caught me off guard, so it was just presented in a special way, and they did a great job to surprise me.' Monahan is the sixth person in Blue Jackets history to win one of the NHL's major awards. The other five are: Rick Nash — 2003-04 Maurice 'Rocket Richard Trophy (NHL goal leader), 2008-09 NHL Foundation Award Steve Mason — 2008-09 Calder Memorial Trophy (top rookie) Sergei Bobrovsky — 2012-13 and 2016-17 Vezina Trophy (top goalie) Nick Foligno — 2016-17 Mark Messier Leadership Award, 2016-17 King Clancy Memorial Trophy (leadership, community contributions) John Tortorella — 2016-17 Jack Adams Trophy (coach of the year). Center Sean Monahan had 19 goals, 38 assists and 57 points in 54 games with the Blue Jackets this season. Foligno (2018-19) and Kevin Dineen (2000-01, 2001-02) preceded Monahan as Blue Jackets finalists for the Masterton Trophy. Runners-up to Monahan for the 2024-25 Masterton are Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who's retiring after a distinguished career, and Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who returned in the playoffs after a three-year absence due to a knee injury. Advertisement Monahan also went through injury difficulties prior to signing with the Blue Jackets, playing just 90 games combined for the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens between 2021 and 2023 due to multiple health challenges that included two hip surgeries, a groin surgery and a broken foot. A wrist surgery kept him out for two-plus months with the Blue Jackets, while at the same time grieving Gaudreau. "It's definitely special to get the award," Monahan said. "I've said it before. I don't need the recognition. Everybody's going through different things in their life, but I worked hard to get where I am, and I went through ups and downs. And to be in Columbus and be healthy and able to play the game I love is something I don't take for granted.' Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@ and @ Get more on the Columbus Blue Jackets with our Cannon Fodder podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets' Sean Monahan voted Masterton Trophy winner


New York Times
14 hours ago
- New York Times
Possible free agent, trade and internal options for the Hurricanes to pair with Jaccob Slavin
RALEIGH, N.C. — Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin has had respect around the NHL for his play since he entered the league early in the 2015-16 season, but his performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off took it to new heights. A big reason for that? Slavin had the opportunity to play with another elite defenseman, Minnesota's Brock Faber. While Dougie Hamilton, Tony DeAngelo and Brent Burns all had their strengths as former Slavin partners, Faber's well-wounded game made them the best shutdown pairing of the tournament. Advertisement While Burns' return to Carolina isn't out of the realm of possibility, it's probably time for the 40-year-old to take a lesser role — he logged nearly 21 minutes per game last season — should he come back to Raleigh. And that means a new partner for Slavin. The Hurricanes have the cap space and assets to do just about anything they want this summer — assuming there are willing trade partners or free agents who want to sign in Carolina — and a top-pairing partner for Slavin is undoubtedly a consideration. The Hurricanes think they have a future star in Alexander Nikishin, and it should help that he will have the luxury of playing behind Slavin to start on the left side of Carolina's defense. With Dmitry Orlov expected to head to free agency, Jalen Chatfield seems like an ideal partner for Nikishin. Still, Chatfield should be considered an option alongside Slavin, given that he took on more minutes this year and didn't miss a beat in his third season as a full-time NHLer. Playing Slavin and Chatfield together, however, would put Carolina's two best defensive defensemen together, and Chatfield had 11 fewer points than Burns' 29 last year. Carolina could try Shayne Gostisbehere on his off side in an effort to add more point production to the top pairing, and Slavin would certainly cover for some of Gostisbehere's (often overstated) defensive shortcomings. That said, Gostisbehere — who was fifth on the team in scoring with 45 points, tops among defensemen — had a pedestrian 18 even-strength points in 2024-25. Sean Walker might be the best internal fit. He had an underwhelming 16 points — the fewest among the Hurricanes' top six defensemen — last season in his first year in Raleigh, but there seems to be untapped scoring potential, and Walker has shown a willingness to be aggressive offensively. Advertisement The wild card is Scott Morrow, who looked justifiably overwhelmed at times when forced into action against Florida in the Eastern Conference final but who fits the profile of an ideal Slavin running mate. Like Hamilton, DeAngelo and Burns before him, Morrow's game is centered on offense, and he had 13 goals in 39 points in 52 AHL games in his first pro season. He's also big and rangy, though foot speed can be an issue at times. It would be asking a lot to put a rookie in such a role, but Slavin also makes his partner's job easier every night. If Carolina is going to look for a right-handed defender to pair with Slavin, the trade market might be the best place to do it. Calgary's Rasmus Andersson would provide a short-term fix, and the Flames are loaded with defensive prospects. He has one year left on a deal that costs $4.55 million against the cap, so the Hurricanes could make a deal, assess the fit next season and see if the 28-year-old is a longer-term match. He's eclipsed 50 points once in his career and is accustomed to playing major minutes. Like Burns, he's been durable and hasn't missed many games over the past handful of seasons. If Andersson is on the market, however, the list of suitors will be long and could drive up the asking price. Carolina will be careful not to overpay for a player who could walk away next summer. Another intriguing name is Los Angeles' Brandt Clarke. The brash blueliner oozes skill and has a flare for the dramatic, and the Kings — who are even more defensive-minded than the Hurricanes — have been unwilling to unleash him, limiting him to less than 13 minutes per game in L.A.'s opening-round loss to the Oilers. He was dangled at the deadline, but a change in the front office — Rob Blake out, Ken Holland in as general manager — could mean the Kings' priorities are different now. Even if Clarke is a Carolina target, would he be ready to play top-pairing minutes out of the gate? The Hurricanes explored adding Erik Karlsson when the defenseman was traded from San Jose to Pittsburgh, and a deal for him might be more palatable with just two years remaining on a contract that costs $11.5 million against the cap. But after winning the Norris Trophy with a 101-point season with the Sharks in 2022-23, the 35-year-old barely matched that point total in two years with the Penguins (109 points while playing all 82 games each season). Like Slavin, Karlsson looked good in the 4 Nations tournament, so maybe there's more left in the tank if he gets to play alongside an elite defender. Advertisement New Jersey would probably love to get out of the final two years of Dougie Hamilton's deal, but that ship has likely sailed for Carolina, especially given Hamilton's injury issues and drop in production. Philadelphia's Rasmus Ristolainen (one year remaining with a $5.1 million cap hit) had a bounce-back season and would bring needed snarl to the blue line, but he's not exactly an analytics darling. The Flyers also reportedly turned down a Toronto offer for Ristolainen ahead of the deadline. The pie-in-the-sky option would be Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin. While Dahlin is a lefty, he's adept at playing the right side and would surely welcome a chance to be on a competitor. The Sabres would be unwise to consider it, and even if they did, the return in a trade would cost the Hurricanes a boatload of assets. The name that makes the most sense is Aaron Ekblad, the former No. 1 draft pick who has been a reliable top-pairing defenseman for the Panthers throughout his career. Ekblad's priority is to remain in South Florida, and his cost on the open market would be exorbitant — and Carolina seems unlikely to pony up a big-ticket, seven-year contract for a 29-year-old defenseman. That said, his combination of size, skill and the ability to play in all situations would make him a fit. The rest of the market is thin. DeAngelo is again available, and John Klingberg has breathed life into his career with a good playoff run with the Oilers. Still, neither feels like an upgrade to Burns, or to what the team already has in-house. Dante Fabbro also revived his career after going to Columbus, but he too seems like a stretch as a top-pairing guy on a contender. The Hurricanes don't have their third-round pick in the 2026 draft, making a run at an RFA a little more difficult unless they're willing to give up four first-rounders on a contract worth more than $11.7 million or if the player's team is willing to discuss a trade. Edmonton's Evan Bouchard and the Islanders' Noah Dobson — the No. 10 and No. 12 overall picks in the 2018 draft, respectively — are young, right-handed defensemen due new deals. The Oilers will do everything in their power to re-sign Bouchard, but they're facing a cap crunch and also must consider that Connor McDavid is due a new contract after next season. It's unlikely Carolina would pay Bouchard close to twice the amount Slavin is earning on his contract (under $6.4 million). Dobson had a down year, which should make a deal with the Islanders easier (see Martin Necas' bridge deal), and there are also questions about his viability as a top-pairing player — though he certainly has all the tools. There are some left-handed RFAs as well — K'Andre Miller, Nic Hague and Bowen Bryam top the list —though that's not a need for Carolina unless the team plans to rethink its defense. Advertisement The most important thing to remember with the Hurricanes is that they're not scared of making waves, and there could very well be a major move outside of these options that would surprise everyone. The Islanders' Ryan Pulock comes to mind. (Photo of Jaccob Slavin: Kyle Ross / Imagn Images)