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Capitals-Blue Jackets Preview

Apr 3, 2010 - 3:22 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Washington (50-15-12) at Columbus (32-33-13), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Washington Capitals are focused on a more prestigious title, but setting two more franchise records while trying to win their first Presidents' Trophy would help cap their best regular season in impressive style.

The Capitals have a chance to inch closer to home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs when they visit the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

Washington (50-15-12) has a team-record 112 points, and has already clinched a third consecutive Southeast Division title and top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time.

The Capitals are also in position to set franchise records for wins in a season and road victories (23). They could also claim their first Presidents' Trophy this weekend.

Washington is six points ahead of West-leading San Jose and nine in front of Chicago in the race for home ice throughout the postseason. A Capitals' win over Columbus (32-33-13) eliminates the Blackhawks from that race, while a victory combined with a Sharks' defeat at Colorado on Sunday would clinch the league's best record.

Still, the Capitals are setting their sights on winning their first Stanley Cup. Consistent goaltending could be the key to making a championship run, and Semyon Varlamov is trying to make a case for the starting role.

He made 19 saves while Matt Bradley scored midway through the third period of Thursday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

"It was a great confidence-booster," coach Bruce Boudreau said of Varlamov, who had lost his last five games with a 2.81 goals-against average. "He hadn't won in a while."

Varlamov, 14-4-5 with a 2.52 GAA and two shutouts, is competing with Jose Theodore to become the No. 1 netminder in the playoffs. Theodore has lost his last two starts while posting a 6.39 GAA.

Theodore was replaced by Varlamov during last year's playoffs as Washington fell in seven games of the conference semifinals to eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh.

Varlamov could get his first start against the Blue Jackets as Theodore has lost his last two games against them while posting a 3.96 GAA. He made 27 saves before allowing a goal to R.J. Umberger 1:45 into overtime to lose 5-4 at home Nov. 1.

Alex Ovechkin has been held off the scoresheet in three games against Columbus after netting four goals in the previous two. The two-time Hart Trophy played fewer than eight minutes against the Blue Jackets in November after getting tangled up Raffi Torres and tumbling to the ice early in the second period.

Though he missed six games after that with an upper-body strain, Ovechkin is among the league leaders with 46 goals and 102 points.

Already eliminated from playoff contention after reaching the postseason for the first time in franchise history last season, the Blue Jackets are looking to rebound from Thursday's 3-2 loss at Detroit.

Rick Nash, Columbus' leader with 33 goals and 65 points, saw his four-game scoring streak halted. The Blue Jackets captain had three goals and three assists during the run, and five goals with two assists in his last three games versus Washington.

Should Steve Mason get the start in goal for Columbus, he will be looking for his season-high fourth straight win at Nationwide Arena. The reigning Calder Trophy winner has allowed eight goals in victories over Edmonton, Chicago and Tampa Bay.