Capitals chase fifth straight home win vs. Blue Jackets

BLUE JACKETS (6-10-0) at CAPITALS (9-8-1)

TV: FS-O, CSN-DC

Last 10: Columbus 4-6-0; Washington 6-3-1

Season series: The Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals meet for the second time, with the Capitals winning 4-1 on Oct. 19. Martin Erat had three assists for Washington. This is the second game in Washington; the teams will play two games later in the season in Columbus.

Big story: After a brief two-game road trip, the Capitals head home where they have won four games in a row at Verizon Center. The Blue Jackets are seeking their first road win since Oct. 10, a 4-1 against the Buffalo Sabres.

Team scope:

Blue Jackets: Columbus ended a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday. The Blue Jackets had scored five goals in their past four games combined before the offensive outburst in which there were five different goal scorers.

The line of Brandon Dubinsky, Cam Atkinson and Ryan Johansen combined for seven points.

"I think we were just working off each other. We were getting in on the forecheck hard. As soon as we do that, it seemed like they were turning pucks over and we capitalized on our opportunities," Atkinson said.

The Blue Jackets broke open the game with three third-period goals.

"We played some pretty sound defensive hockey," coach Todd Richards said. "I really felt all four lines were good tonight. …We got good minutes and good energy from most of the guys up front tonight."

Capitals: Washington comes in having suffered a 4-1 defeat at the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. They mustered 34 shots, including 14 in the third period, but only managed to score one goal, a Joel Ward tally in the second period.

"We had pretty good chances to score in the third, but we didn't," said Alex Ovechkin, who fired seven of those shots on net.

The Capitals' power play, which has converted at over 25 percent this season, went 0-for-4. They had scored seven goals with the man-advantage in the past three games.

"There's a lot of little things that go into it. … We had a couple of chances, but not enough," coach Adam Oates said.

Who's hot: Ovechkin has three goals in his past four games, and Ward has a goal in two straight games for the Capitals. … Dubinsky carries a three-game scoring streak (one goal, four assists) for the Blue Jackets. RJ Umberger has three goals this season, with two having come in the past three games.

Injury report: Forward Nick Foligno is questionable (personal) for the Blue Jackets. Forward Boone Jenner (leg) will not play. Forwards Nathan Horton (shoulder), Cody Bass (thumb) and Matt Calvert (abdomen) are on injured reserve. …Capitals defensemen Jack Hillen (tibia) and John Erskine (upper body) are on injured reserve.