Columbus Blue Jackets (21-18-4, 46 pts): The Blue Jackets have finally, after seasons of being the divisional doormat in the Central Division, begun to pick up their play and be somewhat near competitive. In fact, if the season ended today, games held in hand aside, the Blue Jackets would be sitting pretty in the 8th and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. Mind you they would have to play the mighty Red Wings in the first round, and barring any major late season rush, the Blue Jackets don’t stand much chance of going any further than the first round of the postseason. However, for a team that has toiled in mediocrity since its inception, a postseason berth would be the first glimmer of life that this franchise has ever shown.
Leading the attack is none other than talented star forward Rick Nash. Nash leads the team with 17 goals and 39 points, nothing spectacular by his standards, but enough to help the Blue Jackets stay out of the bottom third of the league in offensive production, a place they have been far too familiar with in the past. Rookie sensation Derrick Brassard was on a tear, and was probably the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie, but his rookie season stat line will end at 31 games played, 10 goals, 25 points and a severely injured shoulder received during a fight which he probably should have kept his nose out of.
When Brassard went down, no one gave the Blue Jackets much of a chance to do much in the rest of the season. But rookie goaltender Steve Mason has stepped in as the new flavor in town, helping the Blue Jackets become the 8th best team in the league in terms of goals against. Despite starting the season as one of the possible backups for Pascal Leclaire, Mason seized the opportunity given him when Leclaire went down with an injury. In 26 starts, Mason is 16-9, with a ridiculously low 1.80 GAA. Playing in front of a goaltender that gives up less than two goals a game is going to do wonders for any team’s defense, and all but one of their regular defensemen hold positive +/- ratings.
Current League Rankings:
Goals - 20th Goals Against - 8th Powerplay Goals - 30th Powerplay Percentage - 30th Shorthanded Goals - T-16th Penalty kill percentage - 18th