Three Games in Four Nights Could Determine Fate... Or Maybe Just One
One season. 82 games. Now, 79 have been played, and these last three are crucial. As I have said before, every game is the most important in franchise history. For the most part, the Jackets have played like it. They scrapped out a pair of huge points against Nashville (came from behind to tie in regulation) and Chicago (kept them off the board for a 0-0 tie in regulation). Hey... they're points.
However, those two points over two games are more crucial than you might think. If those points didn’t happen, the Jackets would be at 88 points with Anaheim and St. Louis. Sure, there would be a game in hand for the CBJ, but St. Louis is on the schedule one more time, too… and that game is on the road. There are three spots left in the West, and five teams gunning for them.
Instead, the Jackets sit at 90 points, with a game in hand over the other remaining contenders, including 9th-place Nashville. The number is important, because if the Jackets and Blackhawks end regulation in a tie, the Blue Jackets will have a five-point lead over the 9th-place team with two games remaining, which means the GOOD GUYS ARE IN!
"Obviously, we want Columbus to win tonight… do you really want to have root for Detroit tomorrow? Me neither."
(I had actually miscalculated the point difference between Columbus and Nashville when I first drafted this post… Playoffs temporarily fried my brain. If you read this earlier… mea culpa).
If the Jackets do not win tonight, Detroit could actually seal the CBJs’ playoff bid by beating Nashville tomorrow. Obviously, we want Columbus to win tonight… because do you really want to have root for Detroit tomorrow? Me neither.
Assuming a win tonight… it is just a matter of staying on the winning track to preserve that 6th seed, or even – though it is unlikely – take the 5th seed away from Vancouver. Taking 5th would pretty much take a miracle.
These are exciting times, people.
There is no “Martin Obsesses About the NHL Playoff Standings” on the site today, because Columbus-Chicago is the only Western Conference game today. So… let’s take a look at who’s left, and their remaining schedules (current seeds in parentheses):
(5) VANCOUVER – They’re in… we just don’t know where
2 GAMES REMAINING
vs. Los Angeles (Thurs.)
@Colorado (Sat.)
Thoughts: I personally don’t think Columbus can catch Vancouver for 5th seed, even if the CBJ’s win out. The Canucks are not likely to lose back-to-back games against the 13th- and 15th-place teams in the West. However, stranger things have happened.
(6) COLUMBUS – A tie gets them in… but why stop there?
3 GAMES REMAINING
@Chicago (tonight)
@St. Louis (Fri.)
vs. Minnesota (Sat.)
Thoughts: Beat or tie (preferably beat) Chicago tonight, and we’re all smiling. Keep winning, and the good guys head to Western Canada.
(7) ANAHEIM – They’re probably in.
2 GAMES REMAINING
vs. Dallas (Fri.)
@Phoenix (Sat.)
Thoughts: The schedule looks easy on paper – 12th and 13th seeds. They’re both Division games for the Ducks, so that could spice things up a bit… you can’t really write off either team. Or any team, really… except Colorado and the New York Islanders. Hockey’s a funny sport that way.
(8) ST. LOUIS – They’re creeping me out, man.
2 GAMES REMAINING
vs. COLUMBUS (Fri.)
@Colorado (Sun.)
Thoughts: Obviously, a major threat to Columbus. This is a dangerous team. The Blues could easily beat Colorado, especially the way they have been playing since the All-Star Break. The Blues have played very well against Columbus in their own barn for quite some time. The Jackets can breathe a little with a win over Chicago, but they can’t slack off one bit if they want to hold onto 6th.
(9) NASHVILLE – Closing out on the road… ouch.
2 GAMES REMAINING
@Detroit (Thurs.)
@Minnesota (Fri.)
Thoughts: The Predators have to win at least one to have a shot. It’s do-able… they’ve beaten the Wings twice in a row.
(10) MINNESOTA – Against the wall.
2 GAMES REMAINING
vs. Nashville (Fri.)
@COLUMBUS (Sat.)
Thoughts: Win both, or go home. Plain and simple.
Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks. As they say, "There’ll be a hot time in the Old Town tonight"… GO JACKETS!!!