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4 is the Magic Number

April 2, 2019, 11:54 AM ET [5 Comments]
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By Tom T

With 5 victories in a row Columbus finds itself 4 points away from clinching the playoffs. It has been a bumpy ride to this point. Back in January the CBJ faithful were looking at playoff matchups not counting points to get into the playoffs. Inconsistent play and uncertainty at the trade deadline has this team fighting just to slip into the playoffs. I realize the last statement about trade deadline uncertainty will draw criticism, but the truth is that the unknown during that stretch had a mental impact on play.

The Union Blue find themselves in this situation:

Any combination of 4 points lands them in the playoffs. That could mean two CBJ victories, two MON losses or a CBJ win and a MON loss. I don’t know about you but with three games left I am confident that MON will lose one of their last 3 and the CBJ will win one of their last three.

Last Home Game

Just 3 weeks ago Jackets faced BOS twice claiming 3 of 4 points (a regulation W and an OTL). Both teams are in a very different place now. BOS knows what is happening in their post season, but the Jackets are still in limbo. Will BOS rest any players? Will the CBJ start quick and energize a packed barn?

Regardless of who is playing for BOS, once the puck drops everyone on the ice wants to win. This is likely to be a full 60-minute game and the CBJ should be prepared, especially with a playoff birth on the line.

Behind the Current Streak

What happened in VAN? Why was that a turning point? There was a team dinner/meeting ahead of facing VAN. Here are quotes when from the CBJ as reported by columbusbluejackets.com:

Cam Atkinson: "I think we talked among the group and tried figuring out what was going on. There was a lot of open discussion and I think getting things off guys' chests. I think when you talk among the group and the players and really figure out what's going on, I think that's the biggest thing for us, and we turned the page."

Seth Jones: "We had some honest discussion about where we are."

Nick Foligno: "Sometimes it's just some brutal honesty, and you get through it and you become a better player and a better pro and a better team. I think you can just see it. We've become a team here, and that's really dangerous coming down the stretch."

It is notable that the Captain was not on the trip but joined the team after.

Questions left unanswered with 3 games left:

1. Will the Jackets make the playoffs? Obviously, this is the biggest question – the others only matter with an affirmative answer here.
2. Who is the playoff match up? TBL, WAS, NYI?
3. Will Cam score goal 42...43…44?
4. Is Murray coming back any time soon?

Other Notes

Andrew Peeke (2016 2nd round draft pick) and Elvis Merzlikins (2014 3rd round draft pick) signed entry level deals. Peeke is signed for 3 years but Elvis is only 1 year. Both contracts will burn a year in 2019, meaning Merzlikins becomes a RFA in the off season. Not real sure the thinking behind how he was signed, anyone want to explain that one to me, especially considering he will not see any action this season behind Bob, Korpi and Kinkaid. I admit that I don’t know all the operational rules or economics behind NHL contracts.

Reference for the quotes on columbusbluejackets.com: https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-anatomy-of-a-winning-streak/c-306339036
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