Last night’s win was very satisfying. The game seemed well in hand the entire time. That is now 4 wins in a row with an average of 5 goals per game for and 1 against. Artemi had 3 primary assists and a secondary assist to break his own CBJ record for most points in a season and gathered his 200th career assist. Cam looks to set the new standard for CBJ goal scorers matching the beloved Rick Nash for most goals in a Jackets season with 41. The miscue in the first on the Arvidsson shorty is of concern as horrible and costly CBJ turnovers continue to show up on the scoreboard. Beating one of the best-in-the-West in a critical game continues to make a believer out of this C-Bus fan. They are starting to come together at the right time, playing a puck possession game and the scoring is coming alive.
But, a closer look at who NSH is this year reveals that they are not terribly dominating despite having locked up a playoff spot. Here is their resume: 2nd in the Central Division but tied in points with the leader WIN (94 points). Their record after 79 games is 44-29-6 (40 ROW) with a +21-goal differential. It does not look likely that even if they lose out that they would end up in the Wild Card spot, despite only having 94 points. Here is a side-by-side with the CBJ stats:
Record: CBJ 44-30-4 (78 games); NSH 44-29-6 (79 games)
Points: CBJ 92; NSH 94
ROW: CBJ 43; NSH 40
Goal Differential: CBJ +21; NSH +21
Standings: CBJ 2nd Wild Card; NSH 2nd in the Central
Preds and Jackets are comparable with only a few games left in the season, however, the CBJ don’t have the same consideration as a top-tier team that NSH has. Part of that is their place in the standing, but part of it is a season-over-season performance. Would Columbus be better off in the West?
For years CBJ fans complained about being in the Western Conference despite being in the Eastern time zone. Well, C-Bus fans got their wish and now the Jackets find themselves in a dogfight for a playoff spot rather than already clinching one.
Knee jerk reaction is that CBJ would have already clinched (and have been in 3rd place in the Central). That, of course, means that Columbus would have been better off in the West. But there are other things to consider:
1. The power house teams in the West are having down seasons. I’m talking about CHI, ANA and LAK with and honorable mention to VAN. These were all teams that usually made the playoffs when CBJ resided in the West.
2. Travel and schedule. Initially the West looks a lot easier to play in just on points. CAL and SJS would certainly finish above CBJ but NSH and WIN only hold a 2-point lead over Columbus. So that means the Jackets finish between 5th and 3rd in the West right? No. The schedule would be different, and C-Bus would have been travelling in and out of time zones much more often, making the schedule much more grueling. Playing on the road in the West has a greater impact – look at records. In the East there are 5 teams with 22+ road wins (CBJ is one of them). In the West there is only one team with 22 road wins (CGY).
3. The West teams play a heavier game. It is debatable but accepted that the West teams play a tougher brand of hockey. That results in more injuries and unpredictability. Now is the East all finesse and the West tough? Fans and sportswriters alike will have examples to show the contrary. It is something to consider.
My conclusion: Jackets would still be fighting for a Wild Card spot even in the West. The remaining 4:
@BUF (both teams on the second half of a back-to-back)
v. BOS (may be resting players given they are locked in at 2nd in the Atlantic)
@NYR
@OTT (2nd half of a back-to-back)
My big question is how does Torts handle the goalies in the remaining back-to-backs? Mid-season would result in splitting the duties, but this is the playoff push and Bob is HOT. TRAP GAME!
This is BUF:
2-11-2 in the month of March
ZERO wins in regulation during March – last regulation win on February 23 v. WAS
0-4-1 in their last 5 games
31 goals for in March (2.07 goals for average)
Have scored 2 or fewer goals in 8 of 15 games in March.
63 goals against in March (4.2 goals against average)
Have given up less than 3 goals ONE time in 15 games during this month.
Looks like a sure 2 points for the Jackets! This is what is defined as a Trap Game. That is when they end up ‘playing down’ to their competition. Look at the past match ups with EDM.
Where would the Jackets be in the West right now?
Do the Jackets avoid the TRAP and gain a two-point advantage over MON or squander the game-in-hand?