Washington Capitals winger Jason Chimera looks forward to his first game back at Columbus

Although Jason Chimera has gone through a homecoming once before in his career, the rugged winger said he expects Saturday's game in Columbus to be an emotionally charged experience.

"Hopefully I'll get some cheers and not some boos from the crowd," said Chimera, who spent 4 1/2 seasons with the Blue Jackets before being dealt to the Washington Capitals on Dec. 28. "It was a good time in my life. I really got my career started in Columbus. I became a better player there."

In the 34 games since the trade that sent Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina to Columbus, Chimera has proved to be one of the Capitals' most effective role players. He's big, fast, can skate on the left side of either the third or fourth lines, and, with three fights and countless other post-whistle confrontations, adds a measure of scrappiness the Capitals had lacked.

Those elements were expected from Chimera. What the team couldn't anticipate was how seamlessly the 30-year-old Edmonton native would fit into an already tight dressing room.

"He's a jokester," Coach Bruce Boudreau said.

Whether it's some good-natured ribbing in the dressing room or a well-timed wisecrack on the bench, Chimera specializes in lightening the mood. Especially, teammate Eric Fehr said, when "he has a Red Bull before the game because then he's really off the wall. He's always smiling, looking for trouble."

"I think when you're loose, you're playing your best," Chimera said. "There's a fine line between being loose and too loose. But I'm not always joking around. I'm pretty serious about what I do."

Chimera's most significant contributions have been on the ice. His offensive output has remained level since the trade despite receiving less ice time with Washington (he's averaging 12 minutes 30 seconds per game here as opposed to 14:46 in Columbus).

Against Atlanta, Boudreau dropped Chimera to the fourth line with David Steckel and Matt Bradley. The trio was dominant in the third period and combined for Bradley's game-winner. Chimera was credited with the primary assist, his third point in four games.

Chimera has not returned to Columbus since two hours after the trade. He sold his house in five days and the family already has settled into a new home in Northern Virginia.

Things, Chimera said with a big smile, are going well.

Especially when he takes a glance at the standings. The Capitals are on the verge of clinching their first-ever Presidents' Trophy. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have changed coaches, gutted their roster and will miss the playoffs for the eighth time in their nine-season history.

"It's like being a kid in a candy store and you could only have one candy" in Columbus, Chimera said. "Now you get to have the whole damn store. Anytime you're going to the playoffs, you get goose bumps on your skin. In Columbus, they're a week and a half from going home and that's no fun."

Capitals notes: Clark has a knee injury and will not suit up for Columbus. . . .

Atlanta's Colby Armstrong was suspended two games for his elbow to the head of Capitals prospect Mathieu Perreault in Thursday's game. . . .

John Carlson (upper body) and Brendan Morrison (groin-muscle strain) did not practice but are expected to skate Saturday. . . .

The reacquired Jurcina, out since undergoing sports hernia surgery last month, is expected to resume skating next week and could return during the first round of the playoffs.