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Where They Stand

March 5, 2019, 11:55 AM ET [17 Comments]
The Fan Blog
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As many of you know since the trade deadline the Jackets have only won 1 of 4 games and have fallen out of a playoff spot. Currently with 75 points in 65 games they are 3rd in the Wild Card race behind PIT (77 points in 65 games) and MON (77 points in 66 games).

Of the 17 games left, the Jackets will need to win 10 (to get to 95 points) or 11 (to get to 97 points) to make the playoffs. Just ‘making the playoffs’ comes at a price. That price is a first round match up with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

We have all heard a lot of talk from Jackets leadership, coach and players, but not much to back it up.

Jarmo: Winning a playoff series is not the goal.

Sounds good, but at this point they need to focus on getting in first.

Captain Nick: We know we are a good team.

I’m glad that is the feeling in the locker room (or is it) but what about on the scoreboard?

Torts: We were doing the right things we just didn’t get the result we wanted. (Speaking about the loss to the Jets).

Unfortunately, results are the name of the game this time of year. Jackets fans have been patient for many, many years. They have been happy with just making the playoffs. Then making the playoffs 2 years in a row. Now, winning one playoff series would be acceptable. The CBJ faithful are okay with baby steps. Missing the playoffs after mortgaging the future at the trade deadline would be going the wrong direction.

Jarmo’s Statement

Jarmo arguably made the biggest statement at the trade deadline. Vegas was the other team who made a big move. These teams could not be going further in opposite directions.

C-Bus trade deadline moves have been described by many news outlets as ‘going all in’. There are 6 UFAs that remain unsigned on this team. All could walk at season’s end, especially if it comes to an end with the regular season.

Armchair QBs will sit back and say ‘should have traded the Russians’. If they had traded the Russians and we missed the playoffs there would have been backlash from season ticket holders. Going in exactly the opposite direction seems a little extreme given the results. While high-risk, high-reward was the decision that was made their stands to be consequences. Unless, of course the Jackets beat PIT twice this week and climb back into the playoffs…

Tonight there is a game in NJ that is called a ‘MUST WIN’, just as the past two were called must win. A loss does not doom the Jackets and a W does not get them into the playoffs. CBJ seem to focus better on the road and could use a confidence builder against a very beatable team. NJD is 4-6 in their last 10 and are riding a 3-game losing streak. CBJ is also 4-6 in their last 10 and on a 2-game skid. Devils have been good at home (17-12-5) while the Jackets are great on the road (19-10-1). Something has to give…should be a close game, with an expected result of a CBJ victory…

Can the Jackets turn it around and find their way into the playoffs?

What happens with the home-and-home with PIT at the end of the week?

Tom T.
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