Columbus Blue Jackets Start Slide in Metro Standings
Get used to this Columbus Blue Jackets fans. The CBJ are going to fall in the standings.
The next thirteen days for the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to be rough. They only play three games over that time period and two are against playoff teams. Getting points will be tough to say the least especially when you consider the way this Blue Jackets team is playing and the overall health of the team.
With so few games being played it gives divisional rivals in the Metro a chance to make up ground and thats exactly what happened last night. With the New Jersey Devils win over the New York Rangers last night, the CBJ slid to third in the division.
The Devils still have three games in hand on the Jackets and are a point up. They could put the Jackets in a distant third place by the time the Jackets get to February.
And there are still teams behind the Jackets that could over take them. The aforementioned New York Rangers are two points behind with a game in hand. The Philadelphia Flyers who won last night as well, have two games in hand and are five points back.
Points Per Game Pace
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At the end of the season of course all teams will play 82 games and the position in the standings will change frequently. The Jackets points per game is .576, still good for third in the division.
The Jackets have played 15 divisional games thus far and are a solid 8-5-2. These four point games are critical in the chase for a playoff spot and will ultimately determine the Jackets fate.
They need to get more regulation wins in these matchups though to put some space between them and the sixth spot in the division.
The Jackets will have plenty of opportunity in February to do this as they play 10 Metro games. So don’t worry too much about the slide in the standings that is sure to come.
Next: Jack Johnson Request Trade
Worry about this team getting healthy and finding an offensive rhythm before Groundhogs Day. Thats when it will get real for the Columbus Blue Jackets.