The Blue Jackets take a 3-game point streak into a 3-day break before going on the road to meet the Hurricanes. All three games have gone to OT/SO but have resulted in only one CBJ victory. Taking 3 points in a 2-game set from Dallas is uplifting while only gathering a total of 4 points in the 4-game homestand isn’t.

This business with Laine being benched versus Torts saying he didn't bench him is getting old. From a fan’s outside view this looks like player mismanagement. I'll admit, I've never coached in the NHL and have no idea what it's like motivating millionaire kids. Playing your best players at game-winning-time just seems obvious. To continue the on-going narrative about Torts, I still believe this is his last season, regardless of finishing it out or not. That being the case, I'd like to see Columbus make a move sooner rather than later.

At just over the halfway point of the season this CBJ team is not where anyone thought they might be. They are one point under .500 (29 points in 30 games) and outside the playoff picture. In the standings they sit 4 points behind Chicago and are 6th in the division by percentage.

The telling stat is goal differential. This team has given up a division high 99 goals and is 3rd worst in the NHL in that category behind Vancouver (100) and Ottawa (124).

Columbus has Carolina in their next 4 games. This is an interesting scheduling quark makes for a 4-game home-and-home series. Given the format and current standings it could have a playoff-feel to it. I like this playoff preview type series and could show just how good (or bad) the CBJ are at this point in the season. Taking 3-of-4 games over the next two weeks would send them up the standings while dropping that many would certainly send a message to the league (and hopefully management) that they are sellers at the trade deadline. A split of the series would do absolutely nothing for the CBJ and thus, is the most likely outcome.

Quietly Carolina has slipped past Tampa in the standings with a perfect 7-0 record this month, winning 8 in a row dating back to their last game in February. The last team to beat them was the aforementioned Lightning. Carolina has the second-best goal differential (+27, 3rd best in NHL), second most goals for (4th in NHL) and 3rd least goals against in the division. Looking at a split in the series may be a victory for the CBJ after all.

Columbus is 3-2-2 this month and as mentioned in the title, riding a 3-game point streak. Except for the 5-0 loss to Dallas, have looked good, or at least competitive in each of these games. While being competitive is nice, points in the standings would be better.

Maybe a 3-day break and some southern hospitality will do this team some good.

Good Luck and GO JACKETS!

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