Columbus Blue Jackets fight sloppiness in preseason loss to Washington Capitals

The Blue Jackets’ preseason is winding down, but they’ve got some ramping up to do.

Despite facing a team that dressed only a handful of NHL veterans, the Blue Jackets struggled defensively in a 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Sept. 30 at Nationwide Arena and iced a lineup that may closely resemble what they’ll start the regular season with Oct. 9 in Nashville.

“There were times tonight where we had some good minutes, but obviously there’s some things we want to work on,” captain Boone Jenner said. “I think we’re giving up a little too much right now, more than we’d like.”

The Capitals scored two goals in each of the first two periods and led 4-2 starting the third, when Mathieu Olivier cut it to 4-3 for the Blue Jackets with 7:37 left. Jenner scored the first two Columbus goals on power plays in the second period.

Jet Greaves made 35 saves in net for the Blue Jackets (2-4-0), who have one exhibition game left Oct. 4 in Washington.