Blue Jackets defeat Capitals in overtime

COLUMBUS -- Nationwide Arena is becoming a special place for the Columbus Blue Jackets and a nightmare for visitors, especially in overtime.
For the third successive midweek home game, the Blue Jackets won beyond 60 minutes when Cam Atkinson scored 37 seconds into overtime to defeat the Washington Capitals 2-1 on Tuesday.
Columbus (8-4-2) has won six straight at home to tie the Blue Jackets' record.

WATCH: All Capitals vs. Blue Jackets highlights
"It's an identity win," Columbus coach John Tortorella said. "It's a step in the right direction for our culture."
Brandon Dubinsky, who may have sustained a broken nose when an errant puck hit him in the third period, won the faceoff back to Atkinson for a shot that went past Capitals goaltender Philipp Grubauer at the left post. Atkinson has five goals.
"It was a good shot by him," Grubauer said. "He snapped it right away."
Niklas Backstrom scored for the Capitals (9-4-2) and Grubauer made 25 saves.
Zach Werenski had the first Columbus goal and Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 saves.

Backstrom gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead in the second period before Werenski tied the score at 13:02 of the third period. The rookie defenseman was in full stride when he took a cross-ice pass from William Karlsson for his fifth goal.
"I just came on the ice," Werenski said. "I saw there was some ice there and Karlsson found me. The goalie was looking one way, trying to see around (Sam) Gagner, who made a great screen."
The Capitals had a goal taken off the board 37 seconds later when Tortorella was successful in challenging that Capitals forward T.J. Oshie was offside.
Tortorella credited Blue Jackets video coordinator Dan Singleton for alerting him because the coaches were scanning video on the bench looking for a goaltender interference call.
Backstrom scored at 15:43 of the first period for his second goal of the season.
"The first two periods we played a really good road game against a team that's been hot in this building," Washington coach Barry Trotz said. "The third period we gave up way too many chances."

Goal of the game

Werenski perfectly placed his tying goal at 13:02 of the third period. Shooting from the top of the left circle, his shot clanked off the right elbow of the goalpost and went in.

Save of the game

Grubauer did his best to get the game to overtime when he stopped David Savard on an odd-man rush right after the Blue Jackets had killed a penalty with 3:20 left in the third period. Savard had a clean look coming down the slot but Grubauer stood his ground.

Unsung moment of the game

The offside challenge by Tortorella returned the momentum to Columbus after was ruled offside following a video review, denying the Capitals a 2-1 lead at 13:39 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Atkinson had a well-placed goal. He took the faceoff win from Dubinsky and went top shelf inside the left post for the overtime winner.

They said it

"It's our game plan to stay patient. It's not always going to play great. Obviously we want to play a full 60 minutes of really good hockey, but that's not how it works." -- Blue Jackets rookie defenseman Zach Werenski
"It was kind of a tough call on the offsides. They obviously got it right, but at the same time it's tough for us. It was a hard-working goal." -- Capitals defenseman Taylor Chorney on the disallowed goal
"It's actually good that we have these cameras so we know what's right or wrong. It's the same for everyone." -- Capitals forward Niklas Backstrom on cameras at the blue line to check for offside
"I don't think he knows how good he can be. That's exciting. He comes to work every day with the right attitude." -- Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno on Werenski

Need to know

Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby is expected to start Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. … The Capitals were successful in killing all three shorthanded situations against the NHL's best power play. … The Capitals are the first Metropolitan Division opponent Columbus has played this season. … Defenseman Scott Harrington made his Blue Jackets debut after being a healthy scratch the first 13 games. He was acquired June 25, 2016 from the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Kerby Rychel. ... Blue Jackets defenseman Dalton Prout was a late scratch with an upper-body injury. … Blue Jackets forward Brandon Saad played his 300th game.

What's next

Capitals: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVAS, NHL.TV)
Blue Jackets: Host the New York Rangers on Friday (7 p.m. ET; FS-O, MSG, NHL.TV)