Top 5 Columbus Blue Jackets Games in 2014-15

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Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

Now that we have the complete 2014-15 Columbus Blue Jackets regular season schedule, there’s a lot to look forward to. Coming off the best season in franchise history, the Jackets and their fans are hoping that this year will be the most exciting in Jackets history.

Whether that will happen or not remains to be seen, but there are still some games that promise to be exciting this season. Click though the slideshow for my Top 5 most exciting games this season, and leave a comment with your own list!

Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

Opening Night: Saturday, October 11 vs. New York Rangers

The first and last time Rick Nash came back to Nationwide Arena was one of the most exciting, contentious hockey games I’ve been to. Nash received a decent welcome back, a mix of cheers and boos. That was to be expected. What no one saw coming was the “fight” between Nash and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky hit Nash’s stick, and Nash retaliated, hitting Bob in the face. It broke out into an all-out fight, and the crowd went crazy.

After that, Nash received all boos every time he hit the ice, and the crowd was wild. Sadly, the Jackets didn’t get to play the Rangers in Nationwide again. All that to say, when the Rangers come to town on October 11th, expect a good turnout, a crazy crowd, and probably an angry goalie.

Opening night is always a good time with a good turnout and an awesome 5th line, but this year’s is set to be even better. The Jackets and Rangers are well on their way to an all-out rivalry, and this game might seal that fate for years to come.

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Saturday, December 13: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Columbus Blue Jackets

December 13th is the first Jackets vs. Penguins game of the 2014-15 season, and it’s in Columbus. The first playoff rematch on a Saturday in Columbus should be a great game. It was a disappointing end to a great season and awesome playoff run, and many people have said they felt the Jackets could have beat the Penguins this season. This game will be the first chance they’ll have to prove that the can do just that.

Playoff rematches are always fun, the only problem is we have to wait so long for this one. Mid-December is a long time, but hopefully it means the Jackets will be in a position to give the fans a great game and take one back from the Penguins.

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Wednesday, December 31: Minnesota Wild @ Columbus Blue Jackets

Although the Wild aren’t even conference rivals any more, the New Years Eve game is always one to look forward to. The Jackets had a home game on New Year’s Eve every since I can remember, but last year they were sadly lacking one. The Jackets were on the road for the majority of December 2013 and early January 2014, and New Year’s Eve was no exception. They were on the road in Phoenix last year, so they didn’t get a home game to celebrate the New Year.

But it’s back this year! Having a game on New Year’s Eve at home will bring back the old tradition (at least for me) of going to the arena to watch the game and staying afterward for fireworks and celebration. I’d expect there to be a good turnout for this game, and hopefully the Jackets will give us a good show to ring in the New Year.

Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, April 4: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Columbus Blue Jackets

April 4th marks the last regular-season meeting between the Jackets and the Penguins. This game might depend entirely on how the Jackets play against the Penguins earlier in the season, but I would bet it will be an exciting game nonetheless. It could be the game that decides which team will take the series between these two this season, which is a playoff series rematch.

The other reason I’m excited for this game is a bit optimistic: Playoff clinching potential. Only four Jackets games remain in the regular season after this one, so there is a very good chance that this could be a clinching game for Columbus. Of course, hopefully they will have already clinched a spot, but if not, who better to do it against than Pittsburgh (assuming they win)? A win against Pittsburgh and a playoff birth clinched would definitely be a recipe for the most exciting game of the season.

This all depends on how the season has turned out up to this point, though, but the last game against Pittsburgh should still be an exciting game regardless.

Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Friday, April 10: Buffalo Sabres @ Columbus Blue Jackets

April 10th is the last regular season home game for the Jackets’ 2014-15 season. If all goes well they will already be in the Playoffs, and this game won’t have to be a send-off. It is the second-last game of the regular season, and hopefully the Jackets have already clinched a spot.

The home game after the Jackets clinch a playoff spot will likely be the most well-attended and craziest game of the season, as the fans look forward to the post-season. This season, the Jackets last home game of the regular season was prior to their playoff clinch, and it was still awesome. The fans were amazing, cheering their team on in hopes of being able to return to nationwide Arena before next season. Imagine if they already knew the Jackets would be in the playoffs. It would be amazing.

I realize this might be a bit optimistic, although I hope it isn’t. If the Jackets don’t make the playoffs, this game will be the home send-off, which is always a sad moment, but one worth seeing. It is the moment when the fans recognize the players for their effort all season, and the players in turn recognize their 5th line for their loyalty all year. It’s a great moment.

No matter the outcome of the season, the last regular season home game will be one worth seeing.

Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports