They’re not quite out of it yet.
Facing the prospect of elimination from the playoff race in the NHL’s Eastern Conference on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets edged the Buffalo Sabres, 3-2, to stave off elimination for at least one more day.
Zach Aston-Reese and Boone Jenner scored goals in the third period to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead, while rookie goalie Jet Greaves picked up a win with 39 saves as an emergency recall for injured goalie Elvis Merzlikins.
Here are three takeaways:
Columbus Blue Jackets need Montreal Canadiens to stumble
The good news for the Blue Jackets is they kept their slim hopes alive and won in regulation to force the Montreal Canadiens to win in regulation Friday in Ottawa to clinch the second wild card in the Eastern Conference — the last playoff ticket.
The Blue Jackets will also be eliminated if the Canadiens’ point total, currently at 87 points with four games remaining, exceeds 89 points. There is a tiebreaker scenario at 89 points after 82 games that favors Columbus if the Blue Jackets win their remaining four games in regulation and Montreal only wins one of its last four via overtime or shootout.
The NHL’s ...
