3 major takeaways from Columbus Blue Jackets' 3-2 preseason loss vs Washington Capitals 

By Mike Whitaker

Modified Oct 01, 2024 03:36 GMT

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The Washington Capitals were able to avenge their 8-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier in the week thanks to a 3-2 victory over the same opponent on Monday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The win improved Washington to a 2-3 preseason record through five games, while the Blue Jackets' record dropped to 3-2.

Capitals forward Nic Dowd opened the scoring in the first period, only to have Blue Jackets youngster Denton Mateychuk respond and tie things up at 1-1. He sped through the neutral zone and ripped a shot past goaltender Logan Thompson for his second tally of the exhibition schedule.

The Capitals re-took the lead less than 60 seconds into the second period, as hard-nosed forward Tom Wilson redirected a shot from defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk past Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov. The Capitals added another goal thanks to newcomer Pierre-Luc Dubois, who converted on a 5-on-3 power play opportunity to increase Washington's lead to a pair of goals.

Forward Luca Del Bel Belluz cut the deficit to one by scoring in the third period as time ticked away, but it's as close as the Blue Jackets would get.

Tarasov played the entire contest for the Blue Jackets, stopping 23 of the 26 shots he faced, while Thompson stopped 24 of 26 shots.

Here's a closer look at three major takeaways from Monday night's contest.

3 major takeaways from the Columbus Blue Jackets' 3-2 preseason loss to the Washington Capitals

#1. Goaltender Daniil Tarasov's performance was positive

Tarasov is making a case for himself to be the starting goaltender between the pipes for the Blue Jackets, especially after starting a career-high 24 NHL contests last season.

He made a handful of key saves against the Capitals, allowing his team to have a chance at tying the score.

#2. Blue Jackets' youngsters are performing well

A pair of noted prospects in Mateychuk and Del Bel Belluz both tallied for the Jackets as they attempt to win a full-time roster spot.

Taken with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft, Mateychuk played in 52 games for the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors in 2023-24, scoring 17 goals with 58 assists while adding another 11 goals and 19 assists in 20 postseason games.

Mateychuk's play on Monday night stood out in particular to Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason, who noted the poise that the young defenseman is showing.

"The NHL is a great league, the best league in the world," Evason said via Jeff Svoboda on X/Twitter. "When the regular season starts, there’s a lot of heat and there’s a lot of heat on defensemen and there’s a lot of heat on young defensemen, so we have to be careful what we do and not get too far ahead of ourselves. We like his progress."

Meanwhile, Del Bel Belluz tallied nine goals and 22 assists in 58 games played for the Cleveland Monsters, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Blue Jackets.

#3. Defenseman Eric Gudbranson narrowly avoided injury

There have already been multiple high-profile injuries to notable NHL players in exhibition play in the past week, and the Blue Jackets are hoping that key blue-liner Eric Gudbranson isn't joining that list.

He didn't touch the ice during the third period, but the good news according to Evason is that he was held out as a precaution.

"Lower body, nothing serious," Evason explained. "Wanted to play, could have played. There’s no reason to risk injury."

Columbus will continue its preseason schedule with a matchup against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night from Enterprise Center.