The Columbus Blue Jackets And The Playoff Chase

By Brian Wallace

Mar 19, 2026

The Columbus Blue Jackets surged back into the playoff race after replacing Dean Evason with Rick Bowness, going 15-2-4 and sitting just one point out of a playoff spot despite a rocky start. Their season comes down to whether this late push can overcome earlier struggles, including 15 blown 3-1 leads, or fall just short.

19-19-7, that was the Columbus Blue Jackets record on January 12, 2026. It was also the day they fired Dean Evason and replaced him with Rick Bowness. 15-2-4 as of March 17th under Bowness and standing just 1 point out of a playoff spot. Every game carries significance and pressure the Blue Jackets have responded. But like every good chase, there are two endings.

Either the Blue Jackets surge is enough to get them into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or they will be on the outside looking in. Playing better on goal prevention and tighter zone coverage has been one of the driving forces for the more consistent play. Getting scoring from the forwards has also helped a lot.

In the past three games, Columbus has yielded just 21 shots on goal per game. The penalty kill has vastly improved as the unit has tightened in play around the goalie. Since moving Charlie Coyle to the top line, the team has been aided by a 6-for-7 efficiency, which is a massive improvement from being worst in the league earlier in the season.

If the Blue Jackets do not get into the playoffs than two things will have been key factors:

The team was just .500 four months into the season. Pre-Christmas games are critical and pivotal to playoff chances.

15 blown 3-1 games, that will be the main reason the Blue Jackets did not make the playoffs. If the team had won seven of those games, they would have 14 more points, and there would be no playoff chase; they would be in. That would also mean that Evason was still employed.

With every game critical, the Blue Jackets did themselves no favors. While the playoffs could still be salvaged, that is in people’s minds. It will be interesting to see how the team finishes. One thing is clear: the team is close to opening the window for contention.