NHL Scoreboard Watching – 3/15/2011

Well, when I last posted, the Jackets were riding high, and had control of their own destiny in regards to making the playoffs. They were about to embark on a tough 5 game road trip that would likely determine their postseason fate. They lost all five of those game, getting a couple of overtime losses for points, and counting tonight’s shootout loss to Boston have dropped 8 out of 9 games. Most people say that this streak has removed them from playoff contention.

Sure, other teams have turned it on and have pushed their way up the Western Conference standings. The #4, 5, 6, and 7 seeds in the playoffs are pretty much out of reach. But the #8 spot is still very much in play. As a matter of fact, the Jackets may have gotten closer because of the point tonight.

Don’t get me wrong, losing tonight hurt their playoff hopes, as the Jackets had many chances to win the game and played like their season was on the line – mostly because it was. But when the Kings beat Nashville tonight 4-2, I decided to look up the Western Conference standings and do some quick math. Also, Calgary lost tonight to Phoenix, 4-3. They are currently in the #8 spot with 81 points. The Jackets currently have 74 points.

But while the Jackets tonight played their 69th game of the season, Calgary just played their 72nd. So, by losing tonight, the most points Calgary can finish the season with is 101. Very doubtful they will finish with 101 of course. The Jackets, on the other hand, have 3 games in hand on the Flames, and if they win all three of them, that, in essence, puts them 1 point behind Calgary in the current race. With 13 games left, the Jackets have 26 points on the table and *could* finish with 100 for the season.

Nashville is a bigger problem (as usual) for the Jackets. They are at 80 points on the season after the loss tonight, but the Jackets have one game in hand on the Preds as well. Win that game, and we trail the Predators by 4 points for the #8 spot. The Jackets play in Nashville on April 8, so a regulation win there means that the Jackets only have to make up 2 points on Nashville over 11 games, assuming the Jackets win on April 8 – yea, in Nashville, I know – and they win the “game in hand” that they have over the Preds right now.

Catching the Ducks appears to be an even bigger problem, as the Jackets are 5 points back of Anaheim and are equal in games played. But the Ducks still have 3 of their 12 games left against the Kings, one of the hottest teams in the NHL recently, and 2 against the Sharks. They also have a 3 game trip coming up to Dallas, Nashville, and Chicago, all contending teams. So the road gets pretty tough for the Ducks from here on out, and 8 of their 13 games are part of back to backs – 4 sets of back to back games while the Jackets only have 2.

The other team ahead of us is Minnesota, which is a struggling team right now with only 5 points in their last 10 games. Minnesota is three points up on the Jackets right now, and we have a game in hand. That, plus the fact that the Jackets play the Wild in Minnesota on Saturday, means the Jackets control their own destiny over the Wild right now.

So, amazingly enough, the Blue Jackets actually have a decent shot at making the playoffs *IF* they can just start winning some games. They still need at least 17 points (7-3-3) to get in the playoffs, and more likely 20 points (10-3 or so) to strengthen the bid.

So here is the final 13 game breakdown and what we likely need to happen. If we don’t win the next two games, I think we’re pretty much done – especially the Minnesota game.

March 17 – vs. Detroit (HOME WIN NEEDED)
March 19 – at Minnesota (NEED TO WIN)
March 20 – vs. Devils (HOME WIN NEEDED)
March 22 – at Avs (BOTTOM FEEDER WIN NEEDED)
March 24 – at Phoenix (Nice to Have)
March 27 – vs. Vancouver (Nice to Have)
March 29 – vs. Florida (HOME WIN NEEDED)
March 31 – at Caps (PROBABLY NEED TO WIN)
April 1 – vs. Chicago (Nice to Have)
April 3 – vs. Blues (HOME WIN NEEDED)
April 5 – at Dallas (PROBABLY NEED TO WIN)
April 8 – at Nashville (NEED TO WIN)
April 9 – vs. Buffalo (HOME WIN NEEDED)

Giving tough games at Phoenix and home games against Chicago and Vancouver are about all that we can give up. Wins in any of those games make it a little easier, which we may need on the road against Washington and Dallas. Either way, we need to beat Detroit on Thursday and definitely need to beat Minnesota in regulation on Saturday.

It’s not ideal, but it’s not over yet either. Only 2 back to backs from here on out, and not nearly as many tough outs as a team like Anaheim. Needed to win a couple of those shootout losses we had the last 10 games or so, but it ain’t over just yet.

NHL Scoreboard Watching – 2/22/2011

It was a good night all around for the Blue Jackets tonight.  First and foremost, they laid the wood to Darth Vader, beating down the hated Nashville Predators 4-0.  Two points for the good guys in the playoff race, and zero for the bad guys.  That alone would make it a good night.

But while we didn’t get all the help we needed tonight, we did get some.  Detroit laid an egg at home against San Jose, which was not the outcome we were hoping for.  And Minnesota beat down a bad Edmonton team, which didn’t help us either. Not sure how much we could expect from the Oil Spill though, as anyone they beat from here on out will be a bonus.

Also, Phoenix came from behind to beat Eastern Conference Philly 3-2 in overtime, which is two points I’d rather not go to Phoenix.  But on the brighter side, Boston beat down Calgary 3-1 in Western Canada, and Colorado beat the Blues in St. Louis 4-3 in regulation, so there were two big road wins for teams we wanted to win.   Red hot New Jersey blanked the free falling Dallas Stars tonight on the road as well, and Montreal currently is leading at Vancouver as well, so there are a couple more games that are going as we would hope, although Vancouver isn’t really a concern for us – it’s still nice to see Western Conference teams lose to Eastern Conference teams.

So this means the Jackets will end the night within two points of the final playoff spot, with two days to prepare for Phoenix coming to town for the next ‘game of the year’.  Seems like we’ve played about 6 of those in a row now, and we’ve played well in each of them while riding a 7-1-1 streak.

Up to the moment standings:

1. Vancouver – 85 pts
2. Detroit  – 80 pts
3. Phoenix – 75 pts
4. San Jose – 74 pts
5. Minnesota – 70 pts
6. Nashville – 70 pts
7. Calgary – 70 pts
8. Los Angeles – 68 pts
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9.   Anaheim  – 68 pts
10. Chicago  – 68 pts
11.  Dallas  – 68 pts
12.  Columbus  – 66 pts
13.  St. Louis  – 63 pts

The interesting thing is that the Jackets have only played 59 games on the season, which is one fewer than Anaheim, Chicago and Dallas.  So if the Jackets win that one game, they would have the same amount of points as those teams. They have two games in hand over Calgary, meaning if they win both of those games, they would have the same number of points as the #7 seed.

Right now, things are looking good for the Jackets.  If Steve Mason keeps playing the way he has been, and the team keeps playing hard for three periods a night, they look well on their way to the playoffs.

A lot can change between tonight and the Jackets next game (last home game before a big 5 game trip, so I urge you to go pack the Arena on Friday night and send them off on a good note!)

Tomorrow night, San Jose goes to Pittsburgh where we will be cheering for the Penguins to beat the Sharks.  Phoenix goes to Tampa Bay where a win by the Lightning would be swell, and let the Coyotes come to Columbus with a tough 3 road games in 4 nights and coming off a loss.  Edmonton and Colorado play a pretty meaningless game, but we’ll root for Edmonton  because the Avs are closer in the standings. And because any time Adam Foote gets beat, that is a good thing for me.   Los Angeles and Anaheim play a big game tomorrow night as well.  I don’t care who wins really, just end it in regulation and keep it a two point game.

Then on Thursday night, we can root for Detroit again as they host Dallas. Chicago and Nashville battle in a big game that we just want to end in regulation.  I guess if Nashville won, it might be better.  But too early and too close to really choose sides in this one.  Vancouver hosts St. Louis where we will want the Canucks to win the home game against the Blues.  And Minnesota plays in L.A. against the Kings in another big game that would be best ended in regulation.  If things play out just right, the Jackets could get a little closer to that #8 spot on Friday night. They can’t get there just yet, as L.A. and Anaheim play each other, ensuring one of them get to at least 70 points.  But another big home win on Friday would be great with a crucial road trip coming up on Sunday for five games.

NHL Scoreboard Watching – 2/20/2011

Not a good day for the Blue Jackets today.  They didn’t lose, didn’t even play… but as we’re getting into the stretch run of the playoff race, scoreboard watching is starting to heat up.  So basically, we’re watching other games to see Western Conference teams lose. 

Today’s Results

Chicago over Pittsburgh in a shootout.   2 points for Chicago.  Against an Eastern Conference team, it would have been helpful to see them lose.  Thanks Pens.

Calgary in the Heritage Classic outdoor game against an Eastern Conference Montreal team, and the Flames win 4-0.  2 points for Calgary.   Again, not so great.

And in the other game today involving Western Conference teams, Detroit and Minnesota played a game that went to a shootout.  Detroit won, but Minnesota still got 1 point out of it.  Those are the games you want to see end in regulation.  Three point games hurt, and we’re not chasing the Wings anyway.  Would have loved to see the Wild not get that point today, but I guess the optimist says at least they didn’t get two.

So the current Western Conference standings look like this…

1. Vancouver – 85 points
2. Detroit – 80
3. Phoenix – 73
4. San Jose – 72
5. Nashville – 70
6. Calgary – 70
7. Minnesota – 68
8. Dallas – 68
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9. L. A. – 68
10. Anaheim – 68
11. Chicago – 66
12.  Columbus – 64
13. St. Louis – 63

Tomorrow, there is one game on the agenda that we care about, with Chicago visiting St. Louis.  As far as rooting concerns in this one, root for it to end in regulation.  If St. Louis wins, we drop a spot to 13th.  If Chicago wins, they move into a 5 way tie for 7th, 8th, 9th, 10, and 11th, and we fall 4 points behind them.

Jackets have another HUGE game at home on Tuesday night against Nashville.  I recommend you getting some cheap tix on Stubhub and going to Nationwide to watch this one.  Our hated rival in our latest “biggest game of the year”.   Heck, it’s a third consecutive huge week for the Jackets.  With Nashville and Phoenix at home before a game at Nashville, followed by a Western Canada trip, this is your season right here.  These next three games probably determine if we’re buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, so wins are crucial to keep us in the race.

Also on Tuesday night, Phoenix is at Philadelphia - root for the Flyers just because.  Always root for Eastern Conference against the Western.  San Jose is at Detroit in a very good game.  As much as it pains me to say it yet again, root for Detroit to win in regulation.  Detroit can have the division, we’re battling against San Jose. No overtime please. 

Colorado is at St. Louis – root for Colorado here, and no overtime as well.  And in another game not likely to help us, Edmonton goes to Minnesota where we need the Oil spill to run through the Wild and win (in regulation, of course).

New Jersey is at Dallas where it would be swell if the Devils stay hot and beat the Stars in regulation.  Boston takes the long road trip to Calgary as well, where we’ll be rooting for Beantown to beat the Flames in regulation as well.

Finally, Montreal is at Vancouver where you root for the Eastern Conference, but this one doesn’t matter to us too much – we aren’t catching the Canucks. 

That’s it for the scoreboard watching update for now.  We’ll have more after a big Tuesday night of hockey. 

Go Jackets!