Capitals deny Blue Jackets historic 17th straight win

Settle for 16.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were denied their own slice of history Thursday in Washington, losing 5-0 to the Capitals in their quest to match an NHL record with their 17th consecutive win.

Daniel Winnik, John Carlson, Nate Schmidt, Andre Burakovsky, and Justin Williams scored for Washington. It was Burakovsky who spoke candidly prior to the game about how much pleasure the Capitals would derive from ending Columbus' incredible ride.

Nevertheless, it was a truly remarkable stretch for the Blue Jackets, who plunged further into the depths of history than any team since the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins. Columbus hadn't lost since dropping a shootout to the Panthers on Nov. 26, and it was the first time the Blue Jackets failed to collect at least a point in six weeks.

With an unconscious power play and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky rediscovering his Vezina Trophy form, the Blue Jackets' average margin of victory over the 16-game run was two goals.

Columbus remains five points up on the Capitals in the Metropolitan Division, and remain the NHL's top team with a spectacular .784 points percentage that has them on pace for 128 points.