The Pittsburgh Penguins remain in sole possession of the longest winning streak in NHL history. That's after the Columbus Blue Jackets lost Thursday night for the first time since late November.
The Jackets had won 16 straight before Braden Holtby turned back 29 shots in the Capitals' 5-0 shutout of Columbus in Washington. The outcome left the Blue Jackets one away from tying the league record of 17 straight wins, set by the Pens about 24 years ago.
Two of the Jackets' most dependable assets were neutralized by the Caps. The NHL's top power play went 0-for-5 against the Capitals. And Sergei Bobrovsky led all netminders in victories until he was pulled after yielding five goals on 23 shots.
It was Bobrovsky's worst performance since the season's opening night.
Defensemen John Carlson and Nate Schmidt each had a goal and an assist for the Caps, who are five points behind the Metropolitan Division-leading Blue Jackets.
