Columbus Blue Jackets News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate a goal (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Blue Jackets Face Tough Road to Playoff Berth

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By William Espy | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 9:35 AM ET

The Columbus Blue Jackets have only seven more games in the 2024-25 season, and their playoff chances are riding on their upcoming performances. Despite being seen as bottom-feeders by many entering the season, they’ve overcome the odds and put themselves in a battle that nobody expected. Regardless of what happens, they’ve exceeded expectations in their first season under head coach Dean Evason. However, this group of players wants to make the playoffs together, but it’ll be a difficult task looking at the opposition ahead of them.

Blue Jackets’ Recent Performances

The Blue Jackets haven’t had an easy schedule for a while now, as they’ve constantly been facing opposition that they’re battling for a wild card spot and teams who are almost certainly heading to the postseason over the past few weeks. Teams like the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators are actively trying to knock the Blue Jackets out of the playoffs to secure their own berth, while the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers also visited Columbus a few weeks ago.

So far in April, the Blue Jackets have faced two teams that have already clinched their way into the playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Neither game went Columbus’s way, as they lost on home ice to the Avalanche 7-3, meanwhile north of the border, Toronto walked away with a 5-0 victory over the Blue Jackets on Saturday night. The one bright spot so far this month, was the Blue Jackets did beat the Nashville Predators, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, with a dominant 8-4 performance.

Blue Jackets’ Difficult Road Ahead

The Blue Jackets’ tests are only going to get more difficult from here, as every point matters and the majority of their opponents are in the same boat as them. Their next two games will be a home-and-home against the Ottawa Senators. The first of which will be played Sunday (April 6), on the second half of a back-to-back following the defeat to the Maple Leafs the night before. While Ottawa hasn’t officially clinched the playoffs, it would take a substantial turn of events for them to drop out of the first wild card spot. They currently lead the Montreal Canadiens by five points for that spot. The bright side for the Blue Jackets will be that the Senators are also on the second half of a back-to-back, as they defeated the Panthers 3-0 on Saturday night.

After their two games against Ottawa, the Blue Jackets will host the Buffalo Sabres, who are on paper the weakest opposition they have left this season. The Sabres have been surging lately, though, as they’re 7-3-0 in their last ten games. Then, the Blue Jackets face Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in another home-and-home series. The Capitals are currently fighting the Winnipeg Jets for the Presidents’ Trophy, and it’s going to be very difficult for the Blue Jackets to slow down Washington’s offense, especially if Ovechkin is still looking to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s goal record at that point.

After their game in the nation’s capital, the Blue Jackets will travel to the City of Brotherly Love for their final road game of the season. While the Philadelphia Flyers are eliminated from the playoffs, they’ve been playing well under interim head coach Brad Shaw, a name which should be familiar to many Blue Jackets fans. Under Shaw, the Flyers are 3-1-0, with their only loss coming to the Canadiens on Saturday.

Lastly, the Blue Jackets will host the New York Islanders in what could end up being crucial for both teams. With both currently in the fight for the final wild card spot, it’s possible it becomes a winner-takes-all situation. Lately, the Islanders have been struggling, but recently broke a six-game losing streak with a win over the Minnesota Wild on Friday.

While no team’s road to the playoffs is ever easy, the Blue Jackets undoubtedly got one of the toughest possible draws for their final month. If they’re going to make the playoffs and continue their miracle season, they’re going to need to overcome the odds. That’s far from impossible, though, as they’ve done just that multiple times this season.