The Stretch Drive

[Viqsi]

I think with him as I said before its a fit issue. Where does he fit?

With Joey & Jenner? No.


With Foligno-Arty-Horton? (can't have 4 guys)

Calvert-Dubi-CAM

Letestu-D-Mac-Boll? No

13th F? No.

So it's either trade him or compliance. If it is not, I'll be amazed.

I suppose one argument is to move Horton up a line and put him on the 2nd line. To me that says we are standing pat, which to me is a bad option.

Why not put him in where Boll presently is in your lineup there and have Boll as 13F? That way we could claim we have a 40-goal fourth line.

No, seriously, I get the roster pressure argument, I legitimately do. Just that I'm not sure if this is a good illustration of same.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

7 Games left controlling your fate. Here we go.

Columbus


7 Games Left - 83 Points - 33 ROW's

Team - Season Series

@ PHI (2-1. 0-1 in PHI)
vs CHI (0-1) (B2B with game above)
vs NYI (2-1, 1-0 in CBJ)
vs PHX (1-0)
@ DAL (1-0, leading 1-0 to start the game) (B2B with game above)
@ TB (2-0)
@ FLA (2-0) (B2B with game above)

I seriously think we can take a point (or more) in Philly. You know how our team responds to adversity and big division games, this year at least. So we should come to play. Toews and Kane are hurt for Chicago, and they will also be playing on a back-to-back vs Minnesota. No clue if Toews will return for either game, but I assume he won't. I hope we can at least win one of these games, perfect scenario would be to get two wins, but a very close second would be to win one and get a point in the other. I'll predict a split.

If we don't beat the NYI. We shouldn't be talking about playoffs. Even though they are hot right now, I will assume we win that one.

Now comes the interesting point of the year. If Phoenix has a healthy Mike Smith for our game, and I don't know the extent of his injuries, then it will be a game, he always comes to play vs us. If he doesn't, then I think we should win that game. Then we go to Dallas with our 1-0, and Dallas is playing very well right now. But if you remember we played outstanding vs them in our house and started off very very good vs them before the game was suspended. Now they will have Kari Lehtonen (barring injury) in net instead of Thomas. So that will be a game. I think we can manage a point there, maybe more.

I have us at a minimum of 7 points right there. Which means we would only need 2 points in our final 2 games, in all likelihood, to get in guaranteed.

So, long story short. What I am going to do is treat these next 7 games as our first playoff series. In my mind every OTL/SOL will be a loss in my eyes from here on out. If we win 4 games, we will likely get in, just like in the playoffs.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Following up on that post with our future ahead. Here is what the competition is looking like.

Detroit

7 Games Left - 84 Points - 30 ROW

Team - Season Series

vs BOS (2-1)
vs BUF (2-0)
@ MTL (B2B with above game) (2-1)
@ BUF (see above)
@ PIT (B2B with above game) (1-1)
vs CAR (2-0)
@ STL (0-1)

That's a pretty tough schedule. I think they beat BUF twice and CAR, but I think they lose the rest, but may get some OT points.

New Jersey

6 games left - 80 Points - 32 ROW

Team - Season Series

vs WSH (2-1)
@ CAR (B2B with game above) (2-1)
vs CGY (0-1)
@ OTT (1-1)
vs NYI (B2B with game above) (2-0-2)
vs BOS (1-1)

They've got a meh schedule. Toss up with WSH, I think due to the B2B they lose to CAR. I think they beat the NYI and CGY. Another Toss up with OTT. Probable loss vs BOS although they may start their backup in the last game of the season. This might be the team we need to worry about the most.

Toronto

5 Games Left - 82 Points - 28 ROW

Team - Season Series

vs BOS (1-2)
vs WPG (0-0-1)
@ TB (2-1)
@ FLA (1-2)
@ OTT (3-0)

Not an overly hard schedule. But I think they continue their losing woes and lose to Boston and Tampa, which SHOULD be enough to kick them out.

Washington

6 Games Left - 81 Points - 25 ROW's

Team - Season Series

@ NJ (1-2)
@ NYI (B2B with game above) (2-1)
@ STL (1-0)
@ CAR (1-2-1)
vs CHI (B2B with game above) (0-1)
vs TB (2-0)

Yikes, that's a tough schedule with that road swing coming up. I see them beating NYI, with a toss up vs NJ (we should probably root for Washington in this game.) and a probable win vs CAR. After that, they should be cooked vs STL and CHI. Long road ahead for WSH.

Ottawa

7 Games - 78 Points - 27 ROW's

Team - Season Series

vs NYI (0-0-1)
vs MTL (2-0-2)
@ NYR (B2B with game above) (0-2)
@ NYI see above
vs NJ (1-1)
vs TOR (0-1-2)
@ PIT (1-0-1)

This is kind of an interesting team. They're right there with only 5 points down with the same amount of games, but they're likely out unless we collapse.

 

[EspenK]

Its going to be excruciating these next 11 days or so. I could see us winning 2;I can see us winning 5. Oy!

 

[Xoggz22]

If Columbus goes 3-4 or basically 6 pts in their last 7 games Washington needs 9 pts in their last 6 games and Toronto would need 8 pts in their last 5 games...

 

[blahblah]

The teams below us are hoping we lose our next two (which is quite possible). If we do that; it's a dogfight. If we just play .500 (7 more points); the records these teams need are difficult for them to obtain. It's looking more and more like a 1st round match-up with Boston.

If we get 2 or 3 points in the next couple; it's basically formality stage for us. It would take a collapse at that point.

If Boston holds server against the East, we can thank them even though they abused us as well. While the Flyers are probably out of reach; Boston plays 4 teams around us to close out the season. Washington also plays NJ. Someone is going to drop, at least, a point their.

 

[Bobcat110]

Washington

6 Games Left - 81 Points - 25 ROW's

Team - Season Series

@ NJ (1-2)
@ NYI (B2B with game above) (2-1)
@ STL (1-0)
@ CAR (1-2-1)
vs CHI (B2B with game above) (0-1)
vs TB (2-0)

Yikes, that's a tough schedule with that road swing coming up. I see them beating NYI, with a toss up vs NJ (we should probably root for Washington in this game.) and a probable win vs CAR. After that, they should be cooked vs STL and CHI. Long road ahead for WSH.

With both teams on life support due to loser points, I can see that game going into a 9th round shootout

 

[Bobcat110]

Boston plays 4 teams around us to close out the season.

Any chance Boston decides to "rest up" for the playoffs now that they pretty much locked up #1 overall? I could see a team not pressured for wins wanting to give some of their players a night off during this hectic final regular season stretch in order to have fresher legs for the playoffs.

 

[blahblah]

Any chance Boston decides to "rest up" for the playoffs now that they pretty much locked up #1 overall? I could see a team not pressured for wins wanting to give some of their players a night off during this hectic final regular season stretch in order to have fresher legs for the playoffs.

They have not locked up the Presidents trophy. To be fair; Boston can easily beat those teams (outside of maybe the Flyers) "resting up".

 

[dnmccoy]

What scares me with our remaining schedule is all the teams fighting for playoff spots,namely Philly,Dallas and Phoenix. Any thoughts Chicago and Tampa Bay will rest starters since they have clinched?

 

[Columbus Mike]

Chicago won't, but I think the game with Tampa is their last of the regular season. Hopefully it won't mean much and they can be resting for the playoffs.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Toews is out for the regular season. So we get a break there

 

[Kev22]

The Jackets are falling apart. No Horton or Nikitin for Philly. I don't like how things are shaping up.

 

[Heinze 57]

The Jackets are falling apart. No Horton or Nikitin for Philly. I don't like how things are shaping up.

Murray will be back soon though.

I'm not that worried about those two being out. Schultz has been solid in relieving the defense and Horton wasn't doing anything when he was in the lineup and we have a glut of forwards who can be more productive than an injured Horton.

There's other players who would be more detrimental to our chances if they were to get injured. Johansen and Bobrovsky, for example.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Crunch time and points, games-remaining and ROW all favor the CBJ. I'm having to keep engaging my nervous, skeptical about-to-be-let-down fandom - i.e. how I normally am - to keep from thinking Jackets have a better chance at 7 than 9.

After last night it's, sadly, not as difficult, but still.

 

[EspenK]

Its looking more and more like Boston or Bust for us. At which point bust is only a short series away, I'm afraid. Still the playoff experience won't hurt either the players (assuming their psyche can take it) or the teams coffers. And if they can take it to an extended series it could be a major step forward.

 

[Heinze 57]

A playoff appearance and one playoff win would be a step forward for us. I think they could steal a W from the Bruins.

I've gone on record saying I don't want to play Pittsburgh because I'd rather not have to deal with their fans. We had to play Detroit in our only playoff appearance, it's taken us five years to get back, and to face Pittsburgh would be worse. Their fans are more obnoxious and our team has a mental block against them. I think it would be detrimental to what we're trying to build here.


Of course catching the Flyers isn't impossible and I think we'd have a chance in a series with the Rangers, but that's unlikely at this point.

 

[Nordique]

Its win tonight or likely the door shuts on 3rd place in the Metro. I don't want to resign our fate to a wild card spot just yet.

 

[Xoggz22]

This team is so much different than the only other playoff team in CBJ existence. While it's not preferred to play a top seed, I think the CBJ will hold their own regardless of who they play and will win at least one game in the series. I'm taking a ride on the Believe Train and none of you are getting me off it.

 

[NuckleTort]

Keep it rolling.

I'm pulling for you guys

 

[Jyrki]

Beating the Flyers has given us an opening for the 3rd Metro seed... I'll take the Rags over the Bruins 10/10.

With that said, the guys will be looking back a lot, I think... the Leafs probably won't go away. They have left:

Winnipeg
@ Tampa
@ Florida
@ Ottawa

I mean, it's technically all home games and only one playoffs team that is just fighting for home ice in the way.

 

[The Jones Zone]

Beating the Flyers has given us an opening for the 3rd Metro seed... I'll take the Rags over the Bruins 10/10.

With that said, the guys will be looking back a lot, I think... the Leafs probably won't go away. They have left:

Winnipeg
@ Tampa
@ Florida
@ Ottawa

I mean, it's technically all home games and only one playoffs team that is just fighting for home ice in the way.

True....but Look at Carolina tonight, playing for nothing handling Dallas easy 4-1

Teams out of the playoffs have no pressure, only thing for sure this time of year, is there is nothing for sure

 

[punk_o_holic]

True....but Look at Carolina tonight, playing for nothing handling Dallas easy 4-1

Teams out of the playoffs have no pressure, only thing for sure this time of year, is there is nothing for sure

They say the hardest games are against the teams out of it. Like you said, no pressure and they would love to play spoilers.

Winnipeg is still but barely in the hunt for the playoffs but I'm sure they will play hard until they are officially out.
Tampa isn't a bad team.
Florida, well lets hope Luongo is healthy and he plays against the Leafs. If he is, he could steal a game.
Ottawa, I'm sure they would love to play spoilers against their Provincial rivals. Plus, home finale, maybe they would want to win one for their fans.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Beating the Flyers has given us an opening for the 3rd Metro seed... I'll take the Rags over the Bruins 10/10.

With that said, the guys will be looking back a lot, I think... the Leafs probably won't go away. They have left:

Winnipeg
@ Tampa
@ Florida
@ Ottawa

I mean, it's technically all home games and only one playoffs team that is just fighting for home ice in the way.

But they might have lost BErnier again and Lupul is hurt

 

[Mayor Bee]

They say the hardest games are against the teams out of it. Like you said, no pressure and they would love to play spoilers.

Winnipeg is still but barely in the hunt for the playoffs but I'm sure they will play hard until they are officially out.
Tampa isn't a bad team.
Florida, well lets hope Luongo is healthy and he plays against the Leafs. If he is, he could steal a game.
Ottawa, I'm sure they would love to play spoilers against their Provincial rivals. Plus, home finale, maybe they would want to win one for their fans.

Winnipeg is now out.