Columbus Blue Jackets
· 2026-06-29
The Columbus Blue Jackets are entering a critical period in their season, with their playoff chances hanging in the balance, as they stand 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 40-30 record, on a L2 streak.
The Blue Jackets are tied with Ottawa and Detroit for the final Eastern Conference berth, but lose the tiebreaker in regulation wins, making their upcoming games crucial.
They face the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night, a team also fighting for a playoff spot, with the Jets sitting three points back of the Western Conference's final wild-card spot.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a 5-1 loss in Carolina, their fifth straight loss, with four of those losses coming in regulation, and coach Rick Bowness drew criticism from his head coaches.
Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner said the team's urgency over its final six games will determine its playoff fate, and the team knows what's at stake.
Mason Marchment is day-to-day and Dmitry Voronkov is week-to-week, while defenseman Damon Severson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Thursday, after being injured on March 26.
The Blue Jackets will need to step up their game if they want to make a serious effort to get into the playoffs, according to coach Rick Bowness.
And the team's performance will be crucial in determining their playoff fate, with the margin for error gone, as captain Adam Lowry said.
But the Blue Jackets have the belief in the room that they can turn things around and make a push for the playoffs.
So they will need to come out strong against the Jets on Saturday night and get a good start, as they look to bounce back from their recent losses.
The Jets are also desperate for a win, after losing 3-0 in Dallas, and coach Scott Arniel said his team needs to have 20 guys playing to their identity if they want to win.
The Blue Jackets will need to be ready for a tough game, as the Jets are fighting for their playoff lives, and the Blue Jackets are looking to keep their own playoff hopes alive.