If they’d had the same scoring finish March 26 at Bell Centre as they did April 11 in a 5-2 victory over the Canadiens, the Blue Jackets would likely have a playoff spot to protect.
They’d be tied for third in the Metropolitan Division with the Philadelphia Flyers at 94 points, rather than trailing by two points, going into their final two games with an edge in regulation wins as a tiebreaker.
Likewise, if the Jackets had displayed more scoring touch April 9 in Buffalo, they’d be two points clear of the Flyers for the division’s third playoff spot. Each of those games should’ve been in the Blue Jackets’ win column after they dominated for long stretches, but both were losses in regulation.
Now, apply that logic over the entire season and the Jackets might be competing with the Carolina Hurricanes for the division title under former head coach Dean Evason. Instead, Rick Bowness took over for Evason on Jan.12 and has steadily learned what his predecessor already knew.
For whatever reasons, the Blue Jackets (40-28-12) have struggled to convert enough scoring chances into goals during too many games they’ve mostly controlled, making the issue one of two Achilles heels to go with blowing late leads.
Had the Jackets finished more scoring opportunities the way they did April 11 against Jakub Dobes, a Canadiens goalie from Ohio State, there’d be more optimism in Columbus. Instead, despite an impressive win that started with a 2-0 lead on goals by Boone Jenner and Charlie Coyle, there’s uncertainty.
The Jackets no longer control their destiny, which means they could win their final two games at Nationwide Arena, starting April 12 against the Boston Bruins (6 p.m.), and still end this season with the bitter taste they had a year ago.
Two points kept the Blue Jackets out last season, and they’re in a similar predicament now. At least they found their scoring touch.
Here are three more takeaways:
What’s next for Columbus Blue Jackets?
There’s only one path to the playoffs now for the Blue Jackets, who must finish third in the Metro.
The Ottawa Senators’ April 11 win at the New York Islanders eliminated the Isles, Jackets and Washington Capitals from the Eastern Conference wild-card race, forcing all three teams to cast their sights on Philly.
If the Flyers sweep their final two games in a home back-to-back April 13-14 against the Carolina Hurricanes and Canadiens, they get the East’s last postseason ticket. Getting three out of four points would do it, too, so there’s a chance the Blue Jackets could again be eliminated before their season finale if they lose April 12 to the Bruins.
It’s deja vu all over again.
Columbus Blue Jackets veterans going out swinging
It was encouraging to see Kirill Marchenko score a goal, Adam Fantilli add two assists, and other young Blue Jackets get on the scoresheet, but veterans led the way in Montreal.
That’s how it often goes late in the season, and the Jackets’ elder statesmen didn’t wilt. Jenner, the captain, scored 1:13 into the game and should’ve had a second goal that was bafflingly overturned in the third after officials initially ruled that it was a goal on the ice.
Coyle scored two goals, reaching the 20-goal mark in a season for the third time in his 14-year NHL career. Sean Monahan also scored a key goal while Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov and Danton Heinen all finished with assists.
Experience rose to the occasion, which also must happen in the final two games.
Another NHL controversy on Columbus Blue Jackets overturned goal
Pierre Lambert, one of the game’s two referees, is from Saint-Hubert, Quebec, which is a near Montreal suburb. That’s not a good look for the NHL, even if the game had gone off without a controversial officiating situation.
It looked worse in the third, when Jenner’s second goal was overturned for goaltender interference without a coaching challenge after referee Garret Rank initially signaled it was a goal while watching from a short distance away.
It’s unclear if Lambert overruled Rank or the NHL’s situation room in Toronto made the call without a coaching challenge, but Lambert announcing the decision was a terrible look for a league that assigned a referee who’s essentially from Montreal to preside over a hugely important Canadiens game.
Bowness could’ve issued a coaching challenge to restore the goal, but opted against it with a 4-2 lead and a minor penalty the risk if the NHL disagreed. That was a smart decision, but the ruling itself was laughable.
The assertion Dobes couldn’t play his position because of Blue Jackets interference wasn’t the case, since Kent Johnson was the only opposing player who touched him with two or three whacks at the puck. Dobes was then knocked into his net by his own teammates.
That’s what slid the puck into the crease for Jenner’s rebound shot, which should’ve stood as a goal.
Nothing, however, makes sense with the NHL and its rulings on goaltender interference. The fact Lambert and a lines official, Jeremy Faucher, are both from Montreal suburbs made it look even worse. It’s something the NHL should consider avoiding in the future.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets finally capitalize on dominant play: Takeaways
Reporting by Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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