The set-up: The 19-10-1 Columbus Blue Jackets remain in first-place in the Metropolitan Division with 39 points but they may be looking over their shoulders, as the two-time defending Presidents' Trophy winning Wash Caps now have 37 points. The Blue Jackets will host the 12-16-2 Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, having won two in a row and 10 of 13 to maintain a two-point edge over Washington. The hugely disappointing Oilers lost 1-0 at Toronto on Sunday and come in off three straight losses.

Edmonton: The Oilers won 6-2 at Montreal on Saturday but was unable to win consecutive games for the third time this season on Sunday in Toronto, despite 41 shots on goal in the 1-0 loss to the Maple Leafs. "Hockey's a funny game. Hockey's a weird game," Oilers superstar Connor McDavid said. "Some nights, you don't do anything and get one or two. Some nights, you have your legs and get nothing. That's the way hockey is." The only goal o in Sunday's game came 34 seconds into the opening period. That result is indicative of what is happening recently with Edmonton. The Oilers put 41 shots on goal Sunday to the Maple Leafs' 23 but couldn't get anything past Toronto backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney. The Oilers generated chances, but the results simply weren't there. With seven losses in the past 12 games, they are mired in next-to-last place in the Pacific Division standings with only 26 points.

Columbus: Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky allowed three goals in his previous 11 starts before turning aside 35 shots to earn his league-leading fourth shutout in a 1-0 win over Arizona on Saturday night. "I think we need to get him in a flow after giving him a few days," coach John Tortorella said. "Goalies need to get into a flow. He looked as sharp as he has since he had those few days off." Cam Atkinson was a healthy scratch for Saturday's win, a startling development for a player who scored 35 goals last season and signed a seven year, $41.125 million last month. "It's a wake-up call," acknowledged Atkinson, who has been limited to six goals and nine points in 25 games. "I take full responsibility. I know I need to be way better, and I will be." Tortorella reunited Atkinson with Boone Jenner and Brandon Dubinsky at Monday's practice and also had him on the top power-play unit.

The pick: The Blue Jackets are 8-3-0 in theirlast 11 games and check in at 11-5-0 on home ice this season, allowing just 1.88 GPG. The Oilers are struggling to score everywhere (average of 2.87 goals per ranks 19th) and come into this contest having lost their last five visits to Columbus. Make it six in a row, as Columbus is an 8* play.