Never made the playoffs…

The primary logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets since 2007

This spring I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on the Columbus Blue Jackets. The eight year old franchise based in Central Ohio has the dubious distinction of being the only active NHL team to have never made the playoffs, that is, finished in the top eight of their conference. They have never actually finished any higher than 11th (2006-07) and have never achieved more than 80 points (2007-08).

That all changed this season however, and the Blue Jackets find themselves sitting pretty in 6th place with 90 points and three games remaining. Three games may not seem like a lot, but the teams chasing the final playoff spots are just a few points behind. The Anaheim Ducks are in 7th with 88 points and as I’m writing this are leading the San Jose Sharks 2-1. A win by the Ducks keeps the Blue Jackets in 6th because the Ducks will have had 80 games played while Columbus only has 79. The more dangerous teams occupy the 8th and 9th spots; the Nashville Predators (86) and the St. Louis Blues (86) respectively. Both teams beat Columbus in a head-to-head series so matching points with the Blue Jackets pushes them down 9th. However, since there are only three games remaining, the Blue Jackets only need 3 points to clinch their first spot, regardless of what happens elsewhere.

These points must be earned in contests versus the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, and Minnesota Wild. The Blackhawks have already clinched a spot and thus might be coasting their last few games, while the Blues and Wild are fighting for playoff lives and will put up tough battles if they remain in the hunt by next weekend. The realistic scenario is that one of the two teams chasing the Blue Jackets will lose at least one game, pushing the clinch total down to 91. It remains to be seen if the Blue Jackets will in fact make the playoffs for the first time in history or if the season will end in a tragic fall at the last minute, but I’ll be rooting for them the whole rest of the way. Only good can come from their victory.

As long as the Sabres and Coyotes are out of the playoffs, though, I’ll be rooting for the Calgary Flames to go all the way. It’s hard to argue against the sea of red one can see at every one of their home games. Happy rest of the season; I hope your team makes the playoffs.

~ by Jake on 5 April 2009.