WASHINGTON — Adam Fantilli, Jet Greaves and the rest of the Blue Jackets aren’t rolling over.
Paced by two goals for Fantilli and Greaves’ 30 saves while playing his fourth game in five days, the Jackets avoided elimination from the playoff race by deating the Washington Capitals, 4-1, at Capital One Arena for their fourth straight win and second in as many days over the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Fantilli also scored two goals in the Blue Jackets’ 7-0 victory over the Capitals on Saturday at Nationwide Arena. Zach Werenski scored the first goal for Columbus, which can be eliminated while idle Monday if the Montreal Canadiens defeat the Chicago Blackhawks.
Washington took a quick 1-0 lead just 1:10 into the game on Alex Ovechkin’s 896th career goal, pushing his all-time NHL record one higher with his first tally since breaking Wayne Gretzky’s long-held record a week earlier.
Ovechkin one-timed a shot past Greaves from the slot after getting a perfect feed from Dylan Strome following a Blue Jackets turnover deep in their own end. That was the last thing they needed with their entire season at stake, but it didn’t turn into a tidal wave of goals for the Capitals.
Instead, the Jackets battled back and tied it 1-1 late in the first on a goal by Zach Werenski, who scored for the second straight game to up his total to 22 for the season – second among all NHJL defensemen.
Fantilli took it from there.
After putting the Jackets up 2-1 early in the second off a turnover, the second-year center pushed it to 3-1 early in the third with his second goal of the night, 29th of the season and fourth in two days against the Capitals. The third overall pick of the 2023 NHL draft has surged into a starring role down the stretch at the most opportune time for the Blue Jackets.
Greaves, originally signed as an undrafted free agent, continues to shine every time he gets the net while replacing injured starter Elvis Merzlikins. The Blue Jackets' next on-ice challenge is Tuesday in Philadelphia, which could again have their playoff hopes at stake if they get some help from the Blackhawks on Monday in ...
