The Blue Jackets are built to win in the playoffs, but they have to get in first

Now that the Olympic games have ended, the hockey world shifts its attention back to the NHL. Teams all over the league will now work quickly to decide their path ahead of the trade deadline, which is just 10 days away.

For the Columbus Blue Jackets, we have already been given an idea of their direction. GM Don Waddell has worked feverishly to tweak his lineup throughout the course of the season, with an eye towards getting this team into the playoffs. He even took the drastic step of hiring a new head coach.

The team has responded. Heading into the Olympic break, the Jackets were the hottest team in the NHL, winning 7 straight games-and 11 of their last 12. As a result, they sit 9th in the Eastern Conference, just 4 points back of both a wild card spot, and third place in their division.

While it may be a surprising run to a lot of people, it has not been all that surprising to everyone. We thought this team was better than their play through the first half of the season indicated. In fact, for us, the playoffs were an expectation coming into this season.

That's because this team is built to be strong in the areas that matter most. They are very deep down the middle, with no less than six guys who can play center full-time. Whether we like the contracts or not, they do have a strong blue line. On the wings, there is a good mix of skill and toughness.

Maybe the most important area is in goal, where a lot of our questions have been answered this season. Jet Greaves has been outstanding, and since the defensive zone was reworked by Rick Bowness; Elvis Merzlikins has seen a rejuvenation in his own career.

When you step back and look at the whole thing, I can't find any reasons why this team should not be a playoff contender. And today, I'm here to make the argument that this team should be able to make some serious noise if they do get in.

The Blue Jackets are built for a 7 game playoff series.

if the Blue Jackets can find their way into the playoffs, they are going to be a nightmare matchup for whoever they face.

Consider this: if they do get in, they are going to do so as one of the hottest teams in the entire NHL for about three months of the season. That is the kind of run they have to make to get into the playoffs in the first place.

At that point, this team will have been fighting for their lives for about half of a full season of hockey. They will have gone through nearly every scenario that they can expect to come across when their season is on the line. And, they are constructed to be a tough team to match up against in the first place.

You can no longer look at this roster and consider them a one line team. On any given night over the last month or so, we have seen a different line step up and get the job done. Often, that is exactly what you need to win in the playoffs.

The playoff formula is simple: keep winning games.

Our own Mike Stump has been keeping track of the numbers throughout the last month or so. For the Blue Jackets, the formula to get into the playoffs is pretty simple: they have to keep winning.

It is certainly not going to be easy, but those records are very attainable for this group. If they can find a way to get into the playoffs, I like their odds of winning a round. Maybe even more.