Columbus Blue Jackets Back-to-Back Play has to be Sharper
As the Columbus Blue Jackets finish their final 16 games of the regular season, they will play four back-to-back games. They must get back to their winning ways when they play twice in two days.
The loss to Buffalo on Saturday was rough to say the least. The Columbus Blue Jackets only showed up for a period and lost a valuable opportunity to gain ground on the league leading Washington Capitals.
Sure, back-to-back games where you finish on the road are difficult. But the CBJ still have four of these situations left in the season. With three of the four games against playoff teams, the Jackets need to return to their winning ways on the back end of these series.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 7-4-2 this year in the second game of a back-to-back. A very good record in itself but considering the wear and tear on a team during an 82 game season, it is an impressive number.
The Jackets will play their first of four back-to-backs this weekend as they play at the New York Islanders and in New Jersey the following night. This will be their easiest pair of games in terms of their opponents. It also comes following only one game in the previous five days. If they don’t play a full six periods in those two games, the Jackets will be in serious trouble.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Huge Games in Remaining Back-to-Backs
Other than the New Jersey game, the remaining games in back-to-back’s are huge games. All are road games as well.
The Jackets will play at Washington on March 23rd in a game that will be a major factor in deciding the Presidents’ Trophy winner. March 31st will see the Jackets travel to Chicago to play in what we all hope is a Stanley Cup Final Preview. Finally, the last game of the Jackets’ season is in Toronto in a game that will likely determine if the Leafs make the playoffs.
These games will all be huge bouts, which should ensure that the Jackets are energized. Sergei Bobrovsky should be able to start in the back end of all these series though based on the schedule.
Related Story: Limit Bobrovsky's Rest
With 15 games left in the season, more than half of the games will be apart of back-to-backs. The Columbus Blue Jackets have too much to play for to consider resting and taking these games off. They have to dig deep and find a way to get points in these crucial games. The Buffalo game can not repeat itself.