Games that matter, 2/24/11

YESTERDAY: All told, a better than average day for the Columbus Blue Jackets despite not playing.

• Lightning beat Coyotes
• Sharks beat Penguins in overtime
• Kings beat Ducks
• Oilers beat Avalanche

The only bummer in that mix is the Sharks win.  Still, the CBJ playoff chances rose another .94% to 22.6% - can't complain about that!

Things are also starting to shake out in the West.  Dallas (5 games) and Anaheim (4) are on extended losing streaks, providing an opening for a streaking CBJ to fly through.  Nashville has two straight losses as well.  And, as we've been reminded, the 12th place CBJ are only 4 points out of 5th place in the West.  Madness.

TODAY: Yet another off day for the Blue Jackets.  Rest up, everyone, because - statistically speaking - Friday's Phoenix game at Nationwide means more to the CBJ's playoff chances (6.0% if Columbus wins) than any game since I've started this little series.

• Red Wings over Stars
• Kings over Wild
• Preds over Blackhawks - But the CBJ's chances still improve as long as the game is decided in regulation
• Canucks over Blues

As a point of comparison, the CBJ's chances would improve by 1.3% if every game fell our way. Nice, sure, but the 6.0% of a Phoenix win would be a tremendous boost.  While help from our rivals is appreciated, Columbus is at the point of "Win and You're In."