The Columbus Blue Jackets head to North Carolina to face off against a Hurricanes team thats fighting for a playoff berth. The Hurricanes are still without goaltender Eddie Lack after he suffered a scary injury Monday night.
The Columbus Blue Jackets face off with the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in a game that may prove to be much more important to the Canes than the Jackets. As the Blue Jackets see the President’s Trophy slowly slip from their grasp, their remaining games become much more about staying in good shape and keeping their legs under them. That’s not to say they’re not still trying to win.
The Jackets are currently two points ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and five behind the Washington Capitals. They also have a game in hand on both those teams. The Jackets enter the game 7-2-1 in their last ten. Carolina is 7-0-3 and four points out of playoffs. The Canes games are becoming increasingly more important.
President’s Trophy Still Within Reach
The Jackets are certainly not out of the President’s Trophy race by any means- but it might be a bit of a struggle. Their schedule is much more difficult than the Capitals down the stretch although they do have a game in hand and a head-to-head left with the Caps.
Two points tonight would help them a lot as it would bring them back within three of the Capitals just a few days before their head-to-head. The Capitals play the Arizona Coyotes tomorrow as the Jackets go visit the Chicago Blackhawks so you can decide for yourself who has a better chance of coming into that April second matchup on a win.
Hurricanes Respond to Scary Moment
The Hurricanes are hot right now, as are the Blue Jackets, and I expect a good game. Hurricanes goaltender Eddie Lack suffered a scary injury in their game on Monday night when he was run into by Detroit Redwing Andreas Athanasiou. He was stretchered off the ice at the end of that game, but fortunately, was released from the hospital later that night diagnosed with a neck strain.
Thanks for all thoughts and prayers🙏everything looks alright and I'll be able to go home tonight! Thanks for thinking of me👍
— Eddie Lack🇸🇪🇺🇸🇨🇦 (@eddielack) March 28, 2017
The Canes responded the next night by beating the Wings 4-1 officially eliminating them from the playoffs. This marks the first time in 25 years the Wings haven’t made the cut. Coming off that win and one-day rest, the Hurricanes are in a good position to sneak up on Columbus tonight. If the Jackets want to win they will have to come out strong in the early part of the game.
Last Time Out
The Columbus Blue Jackets walked away with the last game in a close 3-2 contest. Sergei Bobrovsky had 35 saves in that win, but the story was veteran Scotty Hartnell scoring two goals, including the game-winner at home.
Expect the Jackets to compete well but I really think they might be surprised by Carolina’s playoff like tempo. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Columbus drop this one. It is also the first of a back to back so expect Jonas Korpisalo in net.