Hopefully, the Columbus Blue Jackets will be heading into the month of March on the verge of a playoff spot. They play 16 games in March, which includes nine road games and seven home games.
Most of the Columbus Blue Jackets games in March are against Western Conference teams. They begin and end the month with three road games out west.
Starting with a few teams who’ve made the playoffs perennially, it may be a struggle at first. Three late games in four nights against the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks won’t make for an easy stretch.
The Blue Jackets will continue playing against Western Conference teams at Nationwide Arena in the following days. The Vegas Golden Knights, with former Blue Jacket William Karlsson, will make their first ever visit to Columbus.
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The Colorado Avalanche will make their annual trip to Columbus two days after Vegas. The first two home games of the month will likely be wins for the Jackets.
Back to the Eastern Conference
From March 9 to 22, the Columbus Blue Jackets play sevenEastern Conference teams. Beginning with two original six opponents, the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens, the Jackets face another difficult stretch.
They will then travel for a matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers and continue with three straight playoff teams from last year. The Ottawa Senators will make a trip to Columbus, and then the Jackets will play the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers on a back-to-back a few days later.
One more home game against the Florida Panthers will conclude the Blue Jackets streak against Eastern Conference teams.
Finishing where they started
After a home game against the St. Louis Blues on March 24, the Blue Jackets will head back out west. This time, it’s against Canadian Western Conference teams.
A couple of young stars will be on display against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers will square off with the Jackets, as well as Johnny Gaudreau and the Calgary Flames.
Finally, the Blue Jackets will visit the Vancouver Canucks on the last day of the month.
Predicted Record: 9-6-1
The Columbus Blue Jackets will probably be good again this regular season. However, March will be a difficult month, especially if they clinch a playoff berth.
Don’t expect any sort of long winning streak in March. Hopefully, the month will be about staying healthy and getting ready for the postseason.
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It will be an interesting month of opponents, east and west, late night games, young stars, veteran teams, etc. The Blue Jackets should be able to manage, but you never know what may come up throughout the course of an 82-game season.