Kirill Marchenko's team-leading 29th, 30th and 31st goals give the Blue Jackets a needed win and first 30-goal scorer since Cam Atkinson.
The Capitals have only 10 games left in the regular season, but face the Blue Jackets on April 12 at Nationwide Arena and April 13 in Washington.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators play for the second and final time this season. The two teams previously played in October, with the Predators winning in OT at Bridgestone Arena.
Overcoming two multiple-goal deficits plus a blown lead, the Blue Jackets are back in control of their own playoff destiny with 11 games remaining.
Stopping a six-game slide and getting help from competitors spinning their wheels lifted the Blue Jackets' odds of qualifying for the playoffs.
The Ottawa Senators return to Canadian Tire Centre tomorrow to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time this season at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Kirill Marchenko scored three goals for his third career hat trick and added an assist, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Nashville Predators 8-4 on Tuesday night. Sean Monahan had two goals and two assists,
The Blue Jackets have gotten a massive lift from the return of Boone Jenner. See how his impact to the team goes beyond any numbers & stats.