COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Blue Jackets (31-27-8, 70 pts) have lost three straight games and five of their last six, falling out of the lead in the NHL Eastern Conference wild-card race. They’re not out of the race yet, but they are running out of room for error in a very tight battle that includes six teams separated by 4 points all vying for 1 spot.
Following a 1-3 road trip against playoff contenders, CBJ returned home to begin a four-game homestand. Unfortunately, it has started with back-to-back 4-0 losses to Florida and the New York Rangers.
Columbus will try to get back on the winning track Monday against New Jersey at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets are now in fourth place in the wild-card race behind surging Ottawa (77 points), the Rangers (72) and Montreal (71) ahead of them in the fight for the conference’s last two playoff spots.
The Jackets do have one game in hand against the Rangers, so they still control their own destiny. They are also tied with Detroit, but again, the Jackets have played one less game.
That game will be shown live on the CW Columbus, Puck drops at 7 p.m.