Capitals hold off Blue Jackets, win 4th straight

During the third period, at 7:01, Ivan Provorov scored a goal, bringing the Blue Jackets within 3-2 by knocking in a loose puck during a scramble in front. The Capitals challenged for goalie interference, but the goal was upheld.

Lapierre, at 13:34, took a pass from Milano and lifted a backhand past Merzlikins on a breakaway, making it 4-2.

“I’ve been working on my backhand a little bit, just trying to get comfortable,” Lapierre said. “So, it was kind of like a hope shot more than anything and it ended up going through, so I was super happy.”

At 15:48, Justin Danforth’s rebound goal in front finalized the score at 4-3.

While Columbus outshot Washington 16-9 in the third, they failed to convert a late power play after Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk was called for holding at 17:26.

“I thought we looked good there in the third, had a lot of good looks,” Gaudreau said. “But they found a way to make it a two-goal game and we made it a one-goal game again. It’s hard.”

Gaudreau scored the opening goal at 3:27 of the second period with a wrist shot from the high slot during a delayed penalty, giving the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead.

At 5:05, Milano tied the game 1-1 with a sharp-angled shot from the bottom of the left face-off circle after a no-look, cross-ice feed from Protas.

“That line was the difference in the game for us,” Carbery said. “We weren’t generating, and then that line takes over and scores and sort of gets some life into the building and into our group. And backs it up again and again. They were fantastic.”