NHL NEWS JAN 5 – BLUE JACKETS VISIT CAPITALS LOOKING TO MATCH NHL-RECORD WIN STREAK

The Blue Jackets (27-5-4, 58 points) visit the Capitals (23-9-5, 51 points) with their sights set on equaling the longest single-season winning streak in NHL history. Columbus has strung together 16 consecutive victories since Nov. 29 and aims to match the 1992-93 Penguins – who won 17 straight contests from March 9 – April 10, 1993 – for the longest such run in League history.

A closer look at the Blue Jackets’ run that has propelled them into first place in the NHL.

Columbus has outscored opponents 62-27 during its 16-game run (+35) to boost its League-leading goal differential to +52 on the season, +14 higher than the next-closest team (NYR: +38). The Blue Jackets have allowed only 74 goals against in 2016-17, the fewest in the NHL.

Columbus also paces the League in overall power play percentage (28.3%), firing at a 15-for-53 clip (28.3%) during their winning streak.

The Blue Jackets have been led in scoring by Cam Atkinson (10-8—18), Brandon Saad (8-8—16) and Sam Gagner (7-9—16) over the 16 consecutive victories.

Goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky (14-0-0, 1.64 GAA, .941 SV%) and Curtis McElhinney (2-0-0, 1.85 GAA, .950 SV%) have combined for the 16 wins. Bobrovsky’s personal 14-game winning streak is tied with five others – including Tom Barrasso who went 14-0-0 with the 1992-93 Penguins – for the second-longest such run in League history. Boston’s Gilles Gilbert set the NHL record with 17 straight personal wins in 1975-76.

NHL NEWS AND MUSINGS

• The trio of Michael Grabner (2-1—3), Kevin Hayes (2-0—2) and J.T. Miller (0-2—2) combined for 4-3—7 to help the Rangers pick up their 10th win in their past 14 games
• Canucks forward Bo Horvat scored to extend his point streak to five games (2-4—6) while also assuring a new dog for a young fan
• Lindy Ruff (DAL) served his 1,450th regular-season game as an NHL head coach to move past Dick Irvin (1,449) into sole possession of fourth place on the League’s all-time list
• Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle skated in his 700th NHL game
• Coyotes teammates Alex Goligoski and Luke Schenn each played in their 600th career contest
• Stars forward Tyler Seguin (4-3—7), Canadiens forward Alexander Radulov (3-3—6) and Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba (1-6—7) extended their point streaks to five games
• Canada and the United States will play tonight in the gold medal game at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship.

THURSDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Edmonton @ Boston, 7 p.m.
Columbus @ Washington, 7 p.m.
Nashville @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Carolina @ St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Buffalo @ Chicago, 8:30 p.m
Detroit @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.
Minnesota @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Winnipeg 4, FLORIDA 1
Montreal 4, DALLAS 3 (OT)
NY Rangers 5, PHILADELPHIA 2
VANCOUVER 3, Arizona 0
CALGARY 4, Colorado 1
ANAHEIM 2, Detroit 0