by Tom Reed, The Columbus Dispatch , The Columbus Dispatch

The series

The Blue Jackets are 3-4-3 against Washington, including 1-2-1 in the Verizon Center.

\ The setup

The Blue Jackets shored up their game on Friday, eliminating the turnovers and sloppy play, but still lost. They have gone 1-4-1 in their past six games and have squandered multigoal leads in three of the past five. With a patchwork lineup and a goalie fighting back spasms, the Jackets surprised the Caps 3-0 last season in Washington. \

treed@dispatch.com

Box Story: Columbus Blue Jackets at a glance

* Past 10 games: 4-5-1

* Power play: 21.6 percent (15th in NHL)

* Penalty kill: 79.2 percent (15th)

* Player to watch: G Steve Mason. He beat the Capitals twice last season and was spectacular in stopping 45 shots in a 3-0 win on Jan. 9.

* Injury update: F Fredrik Modin (knee), F Andrew Murray (shoulder) out; D Jan Hejda (knee) doubtful \

\ \ Washington Capitals at a glance

* Past 10 games: 6-2-2

* Power play: 20.6 percent (16th)

* Penalty kill: 81.4 percent (10th)

* Player to watch: F Alex Ovechkin. You were expecting someone else? He is the two-time reigning league MVP.

* Injury update: D John Erskine (bruised hand), Quintin Laing (H1N1), Eric Fehr (ribs), Boyd Gordon (back spasms), out

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