In a decisive victory, the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Washington Capitals 7-0, staving off elimination in the playoff race. The game took place at Nationwide Arena, where the Blue Jackets showcased a powerful performance despite being without star player Alex Ovechkin, who was a healthy scratch. Ovechkin had been expected to play after practicing earlier in the week, but ultimately sat out, leaving the Capitals at a disadvantage. The Blue Jackets capitalized on their opportunity to stay alive in the Eastern Conference wild card race, securing a critical win against their playoff-ready opponents.