The Columbus Blue Jackets have only been to the playoffs once since entering the NHL in 2000, and they still haven’t won a playoff game. But that could change this season with a good stretch run.
According to Sports Club Stats, the Jackets have a 60.4 percent chance of making the postseason. They currently own the final wild card spot in the East, tied with Detroit in points, but with a game in hand on the Red Wings.
Injuries to defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Ryan Murray may be their biggest challenge to overcome, with only the former expected to return during the regular season, though when is still not known.
With no long road trips out West and 10 of 18 at home to finish things out, it’s not a particularly harrowing remaining schedule for Columbus. The Jackets play tonight in Dallas, before a huge home game tomorrow versus Detroit.
On Saturday, they earned a hard-fought 1-0 win in Nashville.
“That’s a playoff game right there,” d-man James Wisniewski said. “That’s what it’s going to take. We had guys taking hits, blocking shots, getting punched in the head … just grinding it out.”
Columbus also hosts San Jose Thursday, before making a trip to Minnesota for a game Saturday.
