COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Understanding what the Columbus Blue Jackets need to do to get into the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs is easy.
Accomplishing it, well, that’s a different story.
CBJ has won four straight games but must win its final two games this week, starting with a road game at Philadelphia. Then, Thursday night, the Blue Jackets must win at home against the New York Islanders. Not only does Columbus need to win both games, it needs to win them in regulation time.
Also, following Montreal’s overtime loss to Chicago on Monday night, the Canadiens need to lose Wednesday night against Carolina, also in regulation.
Should this scenario all play out, the Blue Jackets and Canadiens will be tied with 89 points apiece, but Columbus would have 40 wins over Montreal’s 39, and would advance into the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.