If the Blue Jackets’ raucous 7-0 blowout of the Washington Capitals on Saturday at Nationwide Arena was their last game that means something this season, it was quite a swan song.
Facing another game where a regulation loss meant elimination from the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, the Blue Jackets were clear in their intentions. If they were going down, it would happen with a flurry of goals, hits and swinging fists against the top team in the conference.
The result was an afternoon of cannon fire and haymakers that ended with the Blue Jackets (37-33-9) keeping their faint playoff hopes going at least a few hours longer — until they’re again riding on a game between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Here are five takeaways:
Columbus Blue Jackets playoff hopes riding on outcome of Montreal Canadiens’ game
The Canadiens’ lead over the Blue Jackets for the East’s second wild-card spot shrunk to four points after the final horn sounded Saturday at Nationwide Arena. Montreal winning in regulation against the Maple Leafs, however, would end the race due to the NHL’s standings tiebreakers.
That would push the Canadiens to 89 points with 30 regulation wins, which the Blue Jackets couldn’t top even if Montreal lost their final two games to stay at that point total and Columbus gets to 89 by winning its three remaining games in regulation. Both teams in that scenario would be tied with 30 regulation wins apiece, which would trigger the second tiebreaker based on regulation and overtime wins combined — which currently favors the Canadiens 37-31.
Anything short of a regulation victory for the Canadiens keeps the Blue Jackets’ playoff chances floating, which would make Sunday’s rematch in Washington another playoff defense. Buckle up.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli shows with one shift why he's a special talent
Adam Fantilli led the Jackets with his 26th and 27th goals of the ...
