|
More Scoreboard Watching + Chances of Making the Playoffs |
|
|
|
|
|
Columbus still sits atop the Wild Card standing with 14 games to go, and they seemingly control their own destiny. If they continue to gather points, they will find their way into the playoffs for the 4th consecutive year. For a league that allows more than half their participants into the post season this doesn't seem like such a big deal, but for a Blue Jackets franchise that has struggled more than most, this is exceptional.
Results from last night's games to watch:
PIT 4 BUF 2: Could have used some fight from the Sabres. PIT is now 5 points clear of CBJ
BOS 2 FLA 1 OT: FLA gets the OT point and is 5 points behind the Jackets.
NYR 6 WAS 5 OT: Seriously another OT game...think we are going to see a lot of these down the stretch. Zibanejad had 5 goals! Unbelievable.
CAR 1 PHI 4: At least it didn't go to OT. CAR is 3-5-2 in their last 10, but has 3 games-in-hand and could close the 4 point gap with the Jackets quickly.
NYI 3 OTT 4: A regulation win for the Sens does Columbus a huge favor. Not an expected outcome to this one but very welcomed by this Jackets fan. The Isles have now dropped 3 straight and are 2-6-2 in their last 10.
Of Note: EDM 3 CHI 4: In another life I was a Blackhawks fan. I know it's a long shot but with 15 games to play the Hawks find themselves 4 points out of a playoff spot. This has been a forgettable season in Chicago, but they could salvage some respect making the playoffs. It's far-fetched given that there are 4 teams they would have to pass to grab that spot. But it's interesting to watch.
Tonight's Games to Watch:
The only Eastern Conference game with playoff implications is:
TOR @ ANA: The Leafs are 5 points up on the Panthers and look to lock in the 3rd spot in the Atlantic. This is a game they should win and it doesn't impact the CBJ's playoff hopes at all.
CHI @ DET: The Blackhawks go for their 5th win in a row and look to gain ground in the tightly packed Western Conference Wild Card race. Again, no impact on the CBJ, just fun hockey to watch.
Say what you will about Eklund and his short sometimes cryptic posts, but yesterday he produced a great analysis of post-trade-deadline playoff odds. The post is noted below:
https://hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/History-tells-if-a-team-NOT-in-the-playoffs-can-still-make-it/1/104635
Interesting that only 6 teams over the past 6 seasons have made the playoffs when they were not already sitting in a playoff spot on March 1.
Even with the dreaded 3-point-game that keeps the standing interesting down the stretch teams have a hard time overtaking those already in playoff position. Maybe those 3-point-games are keeping those teams that are higher in the standings ahead? It certainly isn't allowing teams to make up ground.
It's a good read if you don't normally read Eklund's posts, one not to be missed.
Jackets play back-to-back @EDM Saturday and @VAN Sunday.
Good Luck and Go Jackets!
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»