The Blue Jackets dominated the first period against the Islanders. They put a whopping 26 shots on goal, setting a new franchise record for shots in one period, and scored the first goal of the game on a power play early on.
They also allowed a power-play goal in the first, which tied it 1-1 at the first intermission. After falling behind, 2-1, the Blue Jackets retook the lead on goals by Cam Atkinson and captain Nick Foligno, only to fall behind for good in the first five minutes of the third, when New York scored back-to-back goals.
"We had a two-minute span in the third period where we lose the hockey game right there," Tortorella said. "Really, we self-destructed on that third goal, and [then] we can't kill a penalty. But I'm not interested in showing any of that stuff … I want to show them how aggressive we were and some of the good things we did. We've got to get them into a swagger type of attitude. I thought we showed that through all three periods, even though we lose the game."
They'll need some swagger against the Capitals, who are coming off regulation losses in their past two games. In a wider scope, Washington poses a more daunting challenge. The Capitals have 65 points, and lead the New Jersey Devils by three points for first in the Metro.
They're also 12-5-4 in their past 21 games, which includes two four-game winning streaks.
"This is a big month for our team here," Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson said. "You see our conference and how big the points are. We've got to start winning hockey games here, because if we don't, we're not going to be in the playoffs. We've got to take it one game at a time right now, and start putting points in the bank."
SERIES RECORD
2017-18 Season: (0-1-0). This is the second of four games this season. The Capitals won, 4-3, on Dec. 2 in the first one. They will host the Blue Jackets on Friday, and then return to Columbus Feb. 26 for the finale.
All-time (W-L-T-O): 11-15-1-6 overall; 7-7-0-3 at Nationwide Arena
WHO'S HOT
Capitals: Evgeny Kuznetsov had an assist in the Capitals' 4-3 loss Sunday to the Vegas Golden Knights to extend his point streak to four games. Kuznetsov has six points (one goal, five assists) during the streak.
Blue Jackets: Cam Atkinson had a game-high eight shots and a goal against the Islanders to extend his point streak to four games since returning Jan. 25 from a broken bone in his right foot. He has four points (two goals, two assists) during the streak.
EYES ON: THE CAPITALS
EYES ON: THE BLUE JACKETS
PROJECTED LINEUPS
CAPITALS
Forwards
Alex Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana - Evgeny Kuznetsov - T.J. Oshie
Brett Connolly - Lars Eller - Andre Burakovsky
Chandler Stephenson - Jay Beagle - Devante Smith-Pelly
Defensemen
Christian Djoos - John Carlson
Matt Niskanen - Dmitri Orlov
Brooks Orpik - Madison Bowey
Goaltenders
Braden Holtby
Philipp Grubauer
Others: Taylor Chorney, Alex Chiasson
Injured Reserve:None
BLUE JACKETS
Forwards
Artemi Panarin - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Cam Atkinson
Oliver Bjorkstrand - Alex Wennberg - Nick Foligno
Boone Jenner - Brandon Dubinsky - Josh Anderson
Matt Calvert - Lukas Sedlak - Jussi Jokinen
Defensemen
Zach Werenski - Seth Jones
Jack Johnson - Markus Nutivaara
Dean Kukan - David Savard
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky
Joonas Korpisalo
Others: Scott Harrington
Injured reserve: Ryan Murray (upper body), Sony Milano (torn oblique)
