Ohio Jones
Game on...
CD - Vancouver
The Columbus Blue Jackets threw away their best chance to pull ahead of Vancouver in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in last night’s double-header action.
First, the Jackets wasted their game-in-hand by being unable to figure out Nashville’s Kari Lehtonen, who stopped all 31 shots he faced en route to a 1-0 victory. Rick “Nash-ville” Nash beat Peter Budaj with an unassisted powerplay marker in the third.
The loss left Vancouver and Columbus tied with 83 points heading into part 2 of the double-header, but Vancouver's 38 wins edged out Columbus' 34 wins for the final playoff berth. Even so, a win over Vancouver would have put the Jackets ahead, possibly to stay.
It was not to be. The Jackets twice gave up 2-goal leads in the first 45 minutes, and eventually were lucky to settle for a 3-3 draw after being outshot in OT.
Oddly enough, however, this game may still decide the season for Vancouver and Columbus, thanks to one thing: injuries.
Well aware that the game could decide their seasons, both teams came out extra-feisty in the opening frame, and within 5 minutes, Vancouver’s Tomas Kaberle and Columbus’ Keith Carney and Adrian Aucoin all left the game due to injuries. Columbus’ Mark Bell was ejected for high-sticking on the Kaberle injury, while Vancouver’s Dan Boyle was ejected for elbowing on Carney. Neither player will see any suspension time.
Carney should be ready for the Jackets' next game, but Kaberle and Aucoin are both listed as day-to-day, and that could be pivotal in the final stretch of games, since both players fill important roles for their respective teams.
The Oilers are still a factor, but with one fewer game to play and one point behind in 10th place, they would have to pass both Columbus and Vancouver to sneak in. Calgary, with a 4-point lead and a game in hand, is all but a lock at this point.
Columbus’s remaining 5: STL, STL, @MTL, @NYI, @ SJS
Columbus only plays once in the next 8 game days, hosting St. Louis in the first of two home dates to end the season. The off time should allow the Jackets to get back everyone except Andy Wozniewski, who is out for the season. Columbus definitely faces a tougher schedule, however.
Vancouver’s remaining 5: @OTT, @NYI, MIN, MIN, @ATL
Interestingly, Vancouver also closes out its home schedule with a back-to-back against a conference rival – in their case, Minnesota. A more favourable schedule of opponents should make the difference for the Canucks, with the Senators their only opponent bound for post-season action, but with 3 of those 5 games coming in the next 6 game days they may not get Kaberle back in time to help.
Milo Minderbinder
Columbus Discoverer
The Columbus Blue Jackets threw away their best chance to pull ahead of Vancouver in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in last night’s double-header action.
First, the Jackets wasted their game-in-hand by being unable to figure out Nashville’s Kari Lehtonen, who stopped all 31 shots he faced en route to a 1-0 victory. Rick “Nash-ville” Nash beat Peter Budaj with an unassisted powerplay marker in the third.
The loss left Vancouver and Columbus tied with 83 points heading into part 2 of the double-header, but Vancouver's 38 wins edged out Columbus' 34 wins for the final playoff berth. Even so, a win over Vancouver would have put the Jackets ahead, possibly to stay.
It was not to be. The Jackets twice gave up 2-goal leads in the first 45 minutes, and eventually were lucky to settle for a 3-3 draw after being outshot in OT.
Oddly enough, however, this game may still decide the season for Vancouver and Columbus, thanks to one thing: injuries.
Well aware that the game could decide their seasons, both teams came out extra-feisty in the opening frame, and within 5 minutes, Vancouver’s Tomas Kaberle and Columbus’ Keith Carney and Adrian Aucoin all left the game due to injuries. Columbus’ Mark Bell was ejected for high-sticking on the Kaberle injury, while Vancouver’s Dan Boyle was ejected for elbowing on Carney. Neither player will see any suspension time.
Carney should be ready for the Jackets' next game, but Kaberle and Aucoin are both listed as day-to-day, and that could be pivotal in the final stretch of games, since both players fill important roles for their respective teams.
The Oilers are still a factor, but with one fewer game to play and one point behind in 10th place, they would have to pass both Columbus and Vancouver to sneak in. Calgary, with a 4-point lead and a game in hand, is all but a lock at this point.
Columbus’s remaining 5: STL, STL, @MTL, @NYI, @ SJS
Columbus only plays once in the next 8 game days, hosting St. Louis in the first of two home dates to end the season. The off time should allow the Jackets to get back everyone except Andy Wozniewski, who is out for the season. Columbus definitely faces a tougher schedule, however.
Vancouver’s remaining 5: @OTT, @NYI, MIN, MIN, @ATL
Interestingly, Vancouver also closes out its home schedule with a back-to-back against a conference rival – in their case, Minnesota. A more favourable schedule of opponents should make the difference for the Canucks, with the Senators their only opponent bound for post-season action, but with 3 of those 5 games coming in the next 6 game days they may not get Kaberle back in time to help.
Milo Minderbinder
Columbus Discoverer
