Games that matter, 3/17/11

YESTERDAY: Feh.  Twas but one game.  

• Ducks beat Blues

The CBJ's playoff hopes dimmed by 0.2%, dropping their chances to 2.6%.

Its not over 'til its over

Athletic competition breeds some interesting moments.  To me, there is something about the game of hockey that seems to magnify the intensity of these moments.  The joy of scoring a goal, the gloom of giving one up, all seem heightened by the relative importance of a goal in a hockey game.  The games themselves tend to be full of swirling momentum changes, and the speed and skill of the players makes any hockey game fun to watch. 

As the 2010-11 season for the Columbus Blue Jackets winds down, our playoff hopes seem dim.  According to our loyal blog master, the Dark Blue Jacket, we have a robust 2.8% chance of making the playoffs.  This doesn't bode well.  But in a topic that I am sure we will explore in more detail in the off season, the 2010-11 CBJ are a VERY streaky team.  Going on a run is in character for this team.  Of course predicting whether it will be a winning or losing streak is best left to Hockey Jobu.  On a more mundane level, one might wonder where this team will fall out in the history of the CBJ.

Games that matter, 3/16/11

YESTERDAY: The strangest of all nights.  The Blue Jackets can't pull their weight, but everyone else pitches in...and the CBJ playoff chances improve.

• Bruins beat Blue Jackets via shootout
• Kings beat Predators
• Sharks beat Stars
• Coyotes beat Flames

Yesterday's performances suggest to me that there's a degree of separation starting to happen in the West.  There are contenders...and there is the fodder for the first round.  Anyhoo, the CBJ's playoff hopes improved by 0.3%, raising their chances to 2.8%.

"A good non-call"

Nothing beats homer announcers, and the NESN team of Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley do their part to minimize the fact that the Columbus Blue Jackets' R.J. Umberger took a pretty nasty elbow to the back of the head last night at the...um...elbow of the Bruins' Brad Marchand.




I'm sure that the NHL will at least investigate this one. Of course, it had nothing to do with boarding or charging, so the NHL General Managers won't care.

"A good non-call."  RIGHT.

Game 69/Boston: My Take

The Columbus Blue Jackets, in dire need of two standings points to grow their slim playoff hopes, only grabbed one point in losing to the visiting Boston Bruins, 3-2, in a shootout.

The crux of the game was the David Krecji cross-checking penalty at 15:24 of the 3rd period.  The Jackets were up 2-1 and looking to put the Bruins away.  Instead, the Bruins made a reasonably fast conversion off an intercepted Derick Brassard pass and nailed home the dreaded short-handed goal to tie it up.  I won't say it was "game over" at that point, but the CBJ lost a lot of mojo.

CBJ love from The Hockey News

I received my copy of The Hockey News' "Future Watch" special issue in the mail.  It's the issue where they highlight the top prospects in the NHL (and in each team's respective systems).  Guess what I saw on the cover?

Does the font for "Future Watch" and the litte red "2011" in the middle look familiar to you, Columbus Blue Jackets fan?  They sure look like the CBJ jersey fonts to me...

Games that matter, 3/15/11

YESTERDAY: Two games cancelled each other out.  Sigh.

• Canuck beat Wild
• Blackhawks beat Sharks

The CBJ's playoff hopes stuck at 2.5%.  And the three magic numbers at the left didn't change tonight.

My email from the CBJ ticket office

I just received my "Hey, haven't you renewed your ticket package yet?" email from the Columbus Blue Jackets.  It had some interesting tidbits, so I thought I'd share.  Read along, and note that I've removed names and phone numbers to protect the somewhat innocent while also adding my thoughts and comments in red.

---

March 14, 2011
[Me],

We hope that you are enjoying the 2010-11 National Hockey League season. This year's Western Conference race is extremely competitive and the standings seem to change on a daily basis. There is no question that the remaining weeks of the regular season will be very exciting for hockey fans.  (Yet no mention of the playoffs.)

As we approach the final weeks of the regular season, we wanted to provide you with information regarding the renewal of your Six Game Pack for next season and Stanley Cup Playoff tickets for all games that may take place at Nationwide Arena this season. (THERE'S the playoff ticket mention.)

Games that matter, 3/14/11

YESTERDAY: Happy Pi Day, everyone!

• Kings beat Stars
• Coyotes beat Ducks
• Capitals beat Blackhawks in overtime

The CBJ's playoff hopes improved by a whopping 0.1%, raising their chances to 2.5%.

Games that matter, 3/13/11

YESTERDAY: Off the schneid - finally!

• Blue Jackets beat Hurricanes
•  Predators beat Avalanche
• Canucks over Flames

The CBJ's playoff hopes improved by 1.0%, raising their chances to 2.4%.  One game does not a season make, but it certainly does allow the more positive amongst us to keep hope alive for this season.