Preview: Capitals at Blue Jackets, April 14, 2026 COLUMBUS, Ohio (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for final playoff positioning will meet Tuesday night when the Washington Capitals visit the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Capitals (42-39-0) enter on a three-game winning streak, including a 3-0 shutout of Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Blue Jackets (40-40-0) snapped a three-game skid with a 5-2 road win in Montreal on Saturday. Both clubs sit near the Eastern Conference playoff cutline with time running short in the regular season. Washington has dominated the season series, sweeping all three meetings and outscoring Columbus 12-2. The most recent was a 2-0 Capitals victory on Dec. 7, 2025. A key player to watch for Washington is center Connor McMichael, who is riding a hot streak. He recorded two goals and an assist in Sunday’s win and has collected four goals and five assists over his last nine games. His recent surge has been vital for the Capitals’ offense. Columbus will counter with center Charlie Coyle, who scored two goals on six shots in Saturday’s victory. Coyle has been a consistent point producer, tallying four goals and four assists in his last ten outings, including a four-point night against Carolina on March 17. The Capitals’ recent success has been bolstered by strong goaltending. Logan Thompson stopped all 24 shots he faced for the shutout against Pittsburgh. Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk also contributed a goal in that contest. For Columbus, alongside Coyle, wing Kirill Marchenko (one goal, one assist) and captain Boone Jenner (one goal) provided the secondary scoring needed in the win over Montreal. Washington’s current run follows a stretch of inconsistent play, including an 8-1 loss to the New York Rangers on April 5. Columbus has also struggled for consistency, alternating wins with losses over the past month. Tuesday’s matchup presents a critical opportunity for both teams. A win for the Capitals would solidify their momentum and season-series sweep. For the Blue Jackets, a victory is essential to gain ground and prove they can solve a divisional opponent that has handled them with ease this year. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.