The Chase is your morning report on where the Blue Jackets stand in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs race. What happened, what's next, and who to cheer for.
Now we're cooking.
The Blue Jackets picked up their second complete win in as many games last night, shutting out the New York Islanders, 4-0, at Nationwide Arena. Artemi Panarin got his first goal in 13 games, Cam Atkinson lit the lamp for the first time in eight games, and Sergei Bobrovsky recorded his fifth shutout in the last month along the way to setting a personal best for shutouts in a season.
The Jackets are playing their best hockey when they need it most.
And last night, they also got a little bit of help. Although Montreal, who entered the night two points up on the Jackets, rolled to a 6-0 win over the visiting Florida Panthers, Washington handed Carolina a 4-1 loss in the District.
Here's where we stand on Wednesday, March 27.
| GP | GR | W | L | OT | PTS | ROW | STRK | L10 | Make Playoffs [#] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| METROPOLITAN | ||||||||||
| WASHINGTON CAPITALS | 77 | 5 | 45 | 24 | 8 | 98 | 41 | W2 | 6–3–1 | 99.98% (+0.15) |
| PITTSBURGH PENGUINS | 77 | 5 | 42 | 24 | 11 | 95 | 40 | W3 | 6–2–2 | 99.61% (-0.10) |
| NY ISLANDERS | 77 | 5 | 44 | 26 | 7 | 95 | 40 | L1 | 5–5–0 | 99.35% (-0.42) |
| ATLANTIC | ||||||||||
| (p) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING | 77 | 5 | 59 | 14 | 4 | 122 | 53 | W1 | 8–2–0 | 100% (NC) |
| (x) BOSTON BRUINS | 76 | 6 | 46 | 21 | 9 | 101 | 44 | L1 | 6–4–0 | 100% (NC) |
| TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS | 76 | 6 | 45 | 25 | 6 | 96 | 45 | W1 | 4–4–2 | 99.94% (-0.02) |
| WILD CARD | ||||||||||
| CAROLINA HURRICANES | 76 | 6 | 42 | 27 | 7 | 91 | 40 | L1 | 6–4–0 | 92.36% (-5.47) |
| MONTREAL CANADIENS | 77 | 5 | 41 | 28 | 8 | 90 | 39 | W1 | 5–4–1 | 57.44% (+4.22) |
| COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS | 76 | 6 | 42 | 30 | 4 | 88 | 41 | W2 | 5–4–1 | 51.31% (+1.64) |
| PHILADELPHIA FLYERS | 76 | 6 | 36 | 32 | 8 | 80 | 34 | L2 | 4–6–0 | 0.00% (-0.01) |
p - Clinched President's Trophy; x - Clinched Playoff Spot
The Blue Jackets find themselves two points behind the Canadiens for the final wild card spot with a game in hand, a two point ROW advantage, and Montreal visiting Nationwide Arena Thursday night for an unbelievably big game. Expect an electric atmosphere at NWA.
Washington has forged a three-point lead in the Metropolitan Division with five to play.
Tonight's Game(s) of Interest
| Home | Away | Who to Cheer for |
|---|---|---|
| PHILADELPHIA (36–32–8, 80p) | TORONTO (45–25–6, 95p) | Leafs. A Toronto win eliminates the Flyers. |
There are just four games across the NHL this evening with only one with any impact on the Eastern Conference playoff race. And just barely. If the Maple Leafs beat the Flyers in regulation tonight, Philadelphia will be mathematically eliminated from contention. Which finally, officially solidifies the Eastern Conference wild card race as a three-team affair.
Blue Jackets Playoff Odds
| Make It In | 2nd Rnd | Conf. Finals | SC Finals | Win SC | Win Metro | 2nd Metro | 3rd Metro | WC1 | WC2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
51.31% +1.64 |
20.2% +2.1 |
9.4% +1.1 |
4.4% +0.5 |
1.9% +0.1 |
0% NC |
0.3% +0.1 |
2.8% +1.5 |
13.9% +6.2 |
34.2% -6.3 |
Odds courtesy of MoneyPuck.com
The Blue Jackets are now on the right side of a coin flip to make the postseason, according to Money Puck's model. Keep winning, and they'll keep this table green.
Today's stress ball: Highlights from Sergei Bobrovsky's eighth shutout of the season last night.
