Columbus Blue Jackets sweep Washington Capitals to avoid elimination
Columbus Blue Jackets discuss sweep of Washington Capitals to avoid elimination
The Blue Jackets are still a part of the NHL playoff hunt … barely.
The Montreal Canadiens (39-31-11) needed a win on April 14 to eliminate Columbus. Instead, they gave up a 2-0 first-period lead and fell 4-3 to the Chicago Blackhawks (24-46-11) in a shootout.
The Jackets (38-33-9) and Canadiens are the only two Eastern Conference teams still alive at this point, but Columbus needs to win out and needs Montreal to lose their regular-season finale against the Carolina Hurricanes (47-28-5) on April 16 in regulation.
Given that the Hurricanes have their postseason spot locked up, they will likely rest some of their regulars for that pivotal contest.
Still, the fact that the finish is this dramatic is appropriate considering everything the Blue Jackets have gone through this season.
What is the remaining schedule for the Blue Jackets and Canadiens?
Montreal:
- April 16 vs. Carolina, 7 p.m.
Columbus:
How can the Blue Jackets make the playoffs?
The Blue Jackets need to beat the Flyers and Islanders, which would extend the Jackets’ current win streak to six straight, and they need the Canadiens to fall to the Hurricanes in regulation. That would give both clubs 89 standings points, and the Blue Jackets would advance by virtue of a tiebreaker (wins in regulation).
