Capitals' Defensemen Shine in 5-1 Win Against Blue Jackets

In a commanding performance, the Washington Capitals triumphed over the Columbus Blue Jackets with a decisive 5-1 victory at Capital One Arena on November 24, 2025. The highlight of the game was the offensive output from the Capitals' defensemen, who accounted for four of the five goals scored. Jakob Chychrun led the charge, netting two goals, while Tom Wilson and John Carlson each contributed a goal and an assist. Martin Fehervary rounded out the scoring for the Capitals. According to Deadspin, Chychrun's first goal came just over six minutes into the game after he capitalized on a turnover, extending his point streak to eight games. This included four goals and six assists during that stretch.

The Capitals opened the scoring after Ryan Leonard appeared to fumble the puck in the high slot, allowing Chychrun to swoop in and find the back of the net against Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins. The Capitals further asserted their dominance in the second period, scoring three times, including a goal from Wilson that was set up by a creative sequence involving Justin Sourdif and Aliaksei Protas. After Chychrun scored on the power play, Carlson added another goal just seconds later, effectively sealing the game for Washington.

Logan Thompson, the Capitals' goaltender, had a solid outing, stopping 22 of 23 shots faced, nearly earning a shutout before the Blue Jackets' Denton Mateychuk broke through early in the third period. The Blue Jackets were hampered by injuries, missing star Kirill Marchenko and defenseman Zach Werenski, who left the game due to an upper-body injury. The absence of these key players contributed to Columbus' struggles, which have seen them lose three of their last four matches.

The Capitals' power play also showed signs of improvement, with Chychrun's goal marking their first successful conversion at home since early November, ending a string of ineffective attempts. This turnaround in special teams was noted by Japers Rink, which highlighted the overall liveliness of both the power play and penalty kill in this matchup.

Overall, the Capitals improved to win four of their last five games. With this victory, they showcased their defensive depth and offensive capabilities from the blue line, a crucial aspect of their game moving forward as they aim for continued success in the NHL season. As the Capitals prepare for their next matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, this game against the Blue Jackets serves as a significant confidence booster.