Blue Jackets Clinch Playoff Spot (Almost)
After Eight Seasons, Columbus to Earn Invitation to NHL Post-Season
At some point in the next few days, however, the Blue Jackets will very likely clinch their first playoff berth, and put this dubious chapter in their history behind them. Finally.
Undoubtedly, the NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, will take the opportunity to boast about this final piece of his playoff parity puzzle.
But of course this isn’t about Gary Bettman. It’s about the Blue Jackets. Their majority owner, John P. McConnell, the General Manager, Scott Howsen, Head Coach Ken Hitchcock, and its about hard working men like Don Boyd, Columbus’ Director of Hockey Operations and Player Personnel (just in case, Mr. Boyd, don’t go to Europe right now; Gare Joyce, author of Future Greats and Heartbreaks, has told us what scouts say about what can happen when in Europe).
But most of all, this achievement is about the players.
Blue Jackets Who Have Made a Difference in 2008-09
There is no question that rookie sensation Steve Mason has been a huge component in the Blue Jackets’ success this year. While he probably won’t win the Vezina trophy for the league’s top goaltender, he’s very likely to win the Calder trophy as the league’s top rookie, both because of his amazing play, and the impact it’s had on his team.
Mason’s numbers have been extraordinary, particularly for one so young:
- 31-17-5 record;
- 10 shut outs;
- 2.19 goals against average; and a
- .920 save percentage.
But in addition to Mason, a number of new Blue Jackets have made their mark this season. R. J. Umberger, Kristian Huselius, and Mike Commodore, just to name a few.
And then there’s the Blue Jacket's 24 year-old Captain, Rick Nash. There has a great deal of talk about Olli Jokinen finally getting the opportunity to prove himself in the post-season now that he's a member of the post-season bound Calgary Flames. Yet Nash is a better player, unquestionably a better leader, and most would say that he’s a better spokesperson for the NHL. So, welcoming an exciting young talent like Nash to the Stanley Cup playoffs is something all hockey fans should celebrate. And stand by for the scoring highlights.
But here’s the problem with achieving any one particular goal: there’s always another one lurking just behind it. Success is addictive, and its addicts suffer from withdrawal.
Blue Jackets in the First Round of the Playoffs
It’s not clear who the Blue Jackets will face in the first round of the playoffs, but it’s likely going to be a team like the San Jose Sharks, the Detroit Red Wings, or if the Blue Jackets get “lucky”, maybe they’ll play the Flames and superstar Jarome Iginla. Regardless of who they draw in the first round, the Blue Jackets will be up against a formidable foe. Getting swept in the first round might almost be worse than not making it at all, in the eyes of many fans.
So if coach Ken Hitchcock is smart (and he is) he’s going to make sure that his playoff veterans set an early example of the intensity and determination that is required to be successful in the post-season. There’s no doubt that Nash, Mason, and the other young stars will need to be at their best come the post-season if the Blue Jackets are to achieve any success, but the inexperienced squad is also going to have to rely on the more blooded playoff warriors. Men like defencemen Mike Commodore, who’s been to the Cup final twice and has his name stamped on the hockey holy grail, will be needed to provide some timely leadership and inspiration when things look grim, as they undoubtedly will look from time-to-time.
Regardless of what happens, the Blue Jackets making the playoffs this year is a good thing. Congratulation to the Blue Jackets and their fans, and welcome to post-season.
Get ready for the big show, though, because season 2.0 is about to start, and it doesn't wait for celebrations.
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