Past the halfway point and only 3 points out

[BluejacketNut]

Crawford played well, Bob played out of his mind

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I just realized the importance of the next week if we are to be pretenders or contenders. Upcoming there are 2 games with Nashville, 1 with Phoenix, and 1 with Calgary.

Calgary is below us and is frankly a sinking ship coming to the trade deadline but Phoenix and Nashville are directly above us in the standings within that 3 point range. Hypothetically, if those 3 games can be won in regulation and not overtime, each of them are 4 point swings and can be key in pushing the team into the 10th slot and still in striking distance of 8th since those are teams we are directly battling with for 8th at the current moment.

 

[blahblah]

I just realized the importance of the next week if we are to be pretenders or contenders. Upcoming there are 2 games with Nashville, 1 with Phoenix, and 1 with Calgary.

We've been a great help, in the past, with helping Nashville in either making the playoffs or improving their seeding. I would like to assist them in their chance at a lottery pick this season.

 

[Robert]

Happy but realistic.

Bob is on a hot streak.
History suggests it will not last.
And we have not been consistently scoring enough goals to put teams away.

Many good teams have that extra gear.
We have been playing in our highest gear and its still not enough many nights, and doubtfully sustainable.

Every game I hope they prove me wrong. But last night's game v Chicago was a good example. We played lights out, had MANY great chances, and managed one goal, --that's not even the Claude Noel standard.

Finding that extra gear is this off season's challenge.
.

The CBJ are ranked 12th GA/G at 2.61 which is good enough to make the playoffs, their big problem is scoring... ranked 30th at 2.14 G/G is not good enough for the garbage dump...

 

[BigFatCat999]

Preds fan here, just trying to run away from the circle of negativity that fanbase is sinking into.

The West is so damned tight, you can't give up anything. A win streak of even 3 games with a .500 record for the rest of the year, you lock down a playoff spot. Even if you guys just miss the playoffs you still have 3 1sts and a damn good chance the NYR and LAK puts the CBJ in in the lottery.

It would be justice for you guys you make the playoffs and win the lottery with a crappy 1.1% change of winning.

 

[JacketsFanWest]

The vast majority of the losses have been by one point, even before Bob's hot streak. That really shows hope for the future. A few pieces need to be added, but the team isn't that far. Had the Jackets had some forwards who could capitalize on opportunities better, they could be solidly in the playoff picture right now.

The point streak isn't just about Bob playing so well, it's about a team that's playing well with a lot of young players. There are collapses that Bob has been able to prevent from turning into goals, but there's been a real glimmer of hope that the team is coming together.

The schedule in April is brutal, and while the Jackets aren't that far out from a playoff spot, they also aren't that a far from last place in the West. No Western team is falling behind like Florida in the East. A few losses, and the Jackets could be in the hunt for a top 3 draft pick.

Hopefully after the games the past two weeks, the fans see enough progress that it's going to be exciting to add a top draft pick and they want to buy tickets for next season and they are able to win back the disillusioned fans.

 

[Skraut]

Random question that was posed on a talk radio show. They were asking if the Maple Leafs make the playoffs, do some of his fellow GM's cast a vote for Brian Burke for GM of the year because they made the playoffs with his team.

Same question about the Jackets and Scott Howson...

 

[major major]

Random question that was posed on a talk radio show. They were asking if the Maple Leafs make the playoffs, do some of his fellow GM's cast a vote for Brian Burke for GM of the year because they made the playoffs with his team.

Same question about the Jackets and Scott Howson...

If the Jackets make the playoffs I'd give Howson the "Fired GM of the year" award over Burkie. We've had more turnover than the Leafs in the last year, and Howson deserves credit for focusing on bringing in hardworking character players who can actually play (some credit goes to Richards and JD for our efforts, but I think the team is built for hard work). Oh and Bobrovsky.

If people want to get riled up talking Scott Howson, though, its time for its own thread.

 

[EspenK]

Preds fan here, just trying to run away from the circle of negativity that fanbase is sinking into.

The West is so damned tight, you can't give up anything. A win streak of even 3 games with a .500 record for the rest of the year, you lock down a playoff spot. Even if you guys just miss the playoffs you still have 3 1sts and a damn good chance the NYR and LAK puts the CBJ in in the lottery.

It would be justice for you guys you make the playoffs and win the lottery with a crappy 1.1% change of winning.

If that could/would happen I would give up my belief in a conspiracy theory againat us and start to believe that after all these years the hockey gods are on our side.

 

[Roadman]

You are not eligible for the lottery if you make the playoffs.

 

[FlaggerX]

I'm really pleased with how we're playing these days but it took too long for us to find our identity to make the playoffs. And while Bob has been a steal (Good job Scotty!) he can't play this well forever. No one can.

But let's give a ton of credit to Todd Richards and his staff for giving us entertaining, competitive hockey and helping instill a sense of pride in this team. And it's also hope that if we do draft well, we might not be so far out from the playoffs. Or defensive depth is outstanding. We just need to keep Bob, let the kids develop and find some real skill up font. That's a lot better than most of us expected.

 

[Robert]

Random question that was posed on a talk radio show. They were asking if the Maple Leafs make the playoffs, do some of his fellow GM's cast a vote for Brian Burke for GM of the year because they made the playoffs with his team.

Same question about the Jackets and Scott Howson...

Can't speak for the Leafs, as for Columbus, yes, some of what we are seeing is directly related to Howson's player choices... That said, it's strange how the Jackets started winning after Howson was fired.. Perhaps players where happy to see Howson get the boot and play harder for JD and JK, who knows. Howson had five years and failed, enough said.

 

[Ohio Jones]

Occasional visitor here, just wanted to pass along my congrats on the team's recent run - you guys deserve it for all the tough times you've had to ensure over the past 12 years. It'll be good to have you in the East next year.

Good luck the rest of the way!

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Random question that was posed on a talk radio show. They were asking if the Maple Leafs make the playoffs, do some of his fellow GM's cast a vote for Brian Burke for GM of the year because they made the playoffs with his team.

Same question about the Jackets and Scott Howson...

Yeah. Let's throw Howson a parade. A dead last offense at 2.1 goals per game and a goalie playing at an unsustainable level.

The proof will be in the pudding on Howson. If Davidson made a mistake, then Howson will be an NHL GM by the beginning of the 2014-15 season.

Davidson did not make a mistake.

 

[Robert]

Yeah. Let's throw Howson a parade. A dead last offense at 2.1 goals per game and a goalie playing at an unsustainable level.

The proof will be in the pudding on Howson. If Davidson made a mistake, then Howson will be an NHL GM by the beginning of the 2014-15 season.

Davidson did not make a mistake.

I doubt Howson will be asked to manage an NHL team anytime soon.... THat said, I would hire both him and Priest to run the business side of things... I have to give Priest credit for screwing Columbus into buying the Arena-that move was a thing of beauty...

 

[JACKETfan]

Occasional visitor here, just wanted to pass along my congrats on the team's recent run - you guys deserve it for all the tough times you've had to ensure over the past 12 years. It'll be good to have you in the East next year.

Good luck the rest of the way!

 

[Roadman]

4 games, 3@home 1@NSH, before west coast swing :5 or 6 points Possible? Crucial? Likely?

 

[Dr. Fire]

4 games, 3@home 1@NSH, before west coast swing :5 or 6 points Possible? Crucial? Likely?

Yes, Yes, and if they continue current play, Yes

 

[IBleedUnionBlue]

Nashville just lost. This sets up a huge game Tuesday. The Blue Jackets could pass the Preds in the standings.

 

[NotWendell]

Nashville just lost. This sets up a huge game Tuesday. The Blue Jackets could pass the Preds in the standings.

A meaningful game in late March?!?

 

[Bobcat110]

You are not eligible for the lottery if you make the playoffs.

You are if you own the Rangers and Kings 1st round picks and either happens to miss the playoffs.

 

[Robert]

Nashville just lost. This sets up a huge game Tuesday. The Blue Jackets could pass the Preds in the standings.

I was going to post that... a CBJ win tuesday puts them into the 11th seed for that day at least.... (other teams below sill have games in hand)

The race for the 8th WC seed is underway...

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I am very surprised by the current record. That the playoffs are anything beyond remotely possible past the midway point in the season-especially given the start of the season-is almost miraculous to me.

While I expected a decent defensive effort, I never envisioned a Bobrovsky performance anything near this level. A save percentage that is second in the league at an astounding 93.2% combined with a 2.00 gaa is far beyond what I would have thought.

The offense has been poorer than I projected. I expected more from Foligno, Asinimov and Dubinski. Nonetheless, I've seen enough in them to have hope that their numbers improve with experience and with them becoming accustomed to top 6 roles.

Prospal has been all bonus to me. While he's obviously on the downside of his career, I expected him to basically slide into scoring oblivion this season. Happily that's not been anything near the case.

Calvert has exceeded my expectations and Atkinson has not met them. Brassard has actually exceeded what I'd thought he'd do. I needn't comment on #18.

If the Jackets can play out the season at around a .500 clip and add a few decent offensive pieces via free agency and the draft and get off to a good start in 2013-14, then my days of scalping $10 tickets or being able to buy "Huntington "green seats" for $10 at game time will be over. I think the Columbus market will respond in a huge way to a competitive team.

 

[Bobcat110]

Prospal has been all bonus to me. While he's obviously on the downside of his career, I expected him to basically slide into scoring oblivion this season. Happily that's not been anything near the case.

With the long lockout and shortened season, I expected the same. I just thought it would be harder for him to be game shape ready and then not get injured. It's been nice to see him have a good season so far.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Nashville just lost. This sets up a huge game Tuesday. The Blue Jackets could pass the Preds in the standings.

A meaningful game in late March?!?

I believe you both are using the wrong adjective.