The Blue Jackets have explosive young talent, veteran leadership, a good coach, and a loyal fan base, but they just keep losing. Is there any hope they make the playoffs this year after such a terrible start? The recent five game win streak barely dented the standings...
2006-12-25 20:35:05 · 10 answers · asked by Answer Man 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
It doesn't look good, but here are some things to consider.
1. It is a LONG season. 82 games. We are less than half way through that total.
2. The Jackets had a bad start, but there were a couple of good reasons. Injuries to Fedorov, Zherdov, and Foote did not help you get off to a good start. A slow start by Rick Nash did not help, either. Now you've got most of these guys back, and Nash is playing much better.
3. Lots of changes have happened to your team since last year. New players like Carter and Modin need time to adjust to a new team. Now you've got a new, and MUCH improved coach as well. As they adjust to each other, they should play better.
4. You are only nine points out of a playoff spot right now. That's less than 5 games. The team needs to keep playing well, and they ESPECIALLY need to beat teams like Minnesota, Chicago, and other teams that are right above them.
5. Goaltending! Goaltending! Goaltending! You are not going anywhere without this. Pascal Leclaire, for whatever reason, did not step it up this year. Norrena has been inconsistent, but has shown signs of brilliance. If one of these two guys can step it up and play to their full potential, that will help a lot.
Bottom line is that it does not look good. I would not put money on the Jackets making it. They can play better, but they cannot necessarily stop the teams above them from playing better. That said, it is far from impossible. If the pieces come together they can take a run at it. It is not too late by a long shot. I would never put anything past Ken Hitchcock. The recent 5 game win streak may not have made much of a dent, but it was a step in the right direction. Think where you'd be without it!
2006-12-26 05:26:48 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my mind, if a team falls 20 points out of the final playoff spot at any point of the season, they are looking at some April golf. Right now, Columbus is 9 points out of the final playoff spot. The win streak helped their chances. They just have to keep it up.
I write off no team that has a healthy Rick Nash in their lineup until they're 20 points behind.
2006-12-26 04:41:43 · answer #2 · answered by jpspencer1966 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way they are playing right now they could certainly make the playoffs and then some. They have all the ingredients: Nash is a pure goal-scorer and when he's on its a thing of beauty, he's even got a decent supporting cast this year, a crafty old veteran on the blueline and another crafty old veteran behind the bench.
Almost every team has a chance, its a matter of consistency.
2006-12-26 05:01:38 · answer #3 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES!!! Hitchcock is a very good coach and with a first line like Nash, Fedorov and Vyborny. The Team has a spot in teh playoff. PLus good goaltending like Norrena. Columbus will kick vancouver out and take the playoff
2006-12-26 11:33:20 · answer #4 · answered by pmu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure can. The season is not even half way done so everyone is still in the hunt. As it is, though, the Jackets are about 10 points out of the last spot in the West. They'll have to step it up a notch.
2006-12-26 03:26:55 · answer #5 · answered by gebobs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are a number of if's with the jackets if Rick Nash maintains to be healthful if Zherdev contiues to get greater useful in the event that they %. good draft possibilities in the event that they get a reliable goalie if Fritsche maintains to advance actually your staring at adulthood and chemistry. consistent with danger a greater useful trainer or some greater veterans could help their reason. I see them contending for the playoffs yet baqrely lacking interior here couple of
2016-10-19 00:02:40 · answer #6 · answered by chowning 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they're going to just miss this season. if they can hold onto everyone and fedorov keeps on remembering that he's an OFfensive player, they'll challenge for the division title next season.
2006-12-26 07:40:01 · answer #7 · answered by rive_sud 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well techincally yes they can make it. The season is long enough that no team is out yet.
2006-12-25 20:48:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under Hitch, most definitely.
9 IN A ROW,
SNIDER MUST GO !!!!!
2006-12-25 22:51:54 · answer #9 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more than half the games left, so it's too early to tell.
2006-12-26 11:25:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋