The Columbus Blue Jackets are back on home ice for their final two games before the holiday break. Their first matchup is against a tired Washington Capitals team at 7pm on Bally Sports Ohio.

The Virginia Capitals come into tonight off a late overtime victory to the New York Islanders with a debuting Russian rookie - Ivan Miroschencko.

The Capitals are are also coming into this game off some not as fresh news was announced on potential relocation to the suburbs of Alexandria, VA to get an area upgrade that owner Ted Leonsis is asking for that way the city helps fund his arena with taxpayer dollars. They could get renovation money to stay in the main district or head out to the multi-purpose entertainment complex that is projected to be completed by 2028.

Washington comes into tonight with a major problem - a goalless Alexander Ovechkin. Ovi has not scored a goal since November 18 - the last time they played the Blue Jackets. 14 games is the longest Ovi has gone without a goal in the regular season his whole career.

This is the final meeting of the clubs this season, and only time at Nationwide.

Columbus is riding high into tonight after the recent 9-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

The offense is running high in this Russian battle. The young Russian line of Dmitri Voronkov, Yegor Chinakov, and Kirill Marchenko have 22 points in their most nine games.

Final home games for the holidays are much watch hockey for everyone.

Brendan Gaunce, David Jiricek, and Elvis Merzlikins are in the lineup. Spencer Martin is backup. Nick Blankenburg, Daniil Tarasov, and Mathieu Olivier are in the press box.

Projected Lineups

Washington Capitals

Alexander Ovechkin—Dylan Strome—Tom Wilson
Aliaksei Protas—Hendrix Lappiere—Anthony Mantha
Matthew Phillips—Evgney Kuznetsov—Ivan Miroshnichenko
Beck Malenstyn—Nic Dowd—Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Martin Feheravy—John Carlsson
Rasmus Sandin—Trevor van Riemsdyk
Joel Edmundson—Nick Jensen

Charlie Lindgren
Darcy Kuemper


Injured — Max Pacioretty, TJ Oshie, Connor McMichael, Sonny Milano, Niklas Backstrom

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau—Adam Fantilli—Justin Danforth
Yegor Chinakov—Dmitri Voronkov—Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson—Cole Sillinger—Emil Bemstorm
Brendan Gaunce—Sean Kuraly—Alexandre Texier

Zach Werenski—David Jiricek
Ivan Provorov—Andrew Peeke
Jake Bean—Erik Gudbranson

Elvis Merzlikins
Spencer Martin

Scratched — Mathieu Olivier, Nick Blankenburg, Daniil Tarasov

Injured — Damon Severson, Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic, Boone Jenner, Adam Boqvist

Players to Watch

Washington — Dylan Strome — unreal season for him, and is looking to keep it up going forward.

Columbus — Yegor Chinakov — 5 points in his last 3 games. On a roll

Predicted Final Scores

WSH - 1

CBJ - 3

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