The Columbus Blue Jackets could see their playoff hopes come to an end tonight. The NHL has released its clinching/elimination scenarios, and unfortunately, if they lose in regulation to the Buffalo Sabres, they will be officially eliminated from playoff contention.
This season has been a step in the right direction for the Blue Jackets. In a year where they could have let adversity define them, they chose instead to use it as motivation and give it everything they had. They did the best they could—but unfortunately, things slowed down at the wrong time, and they weren’t able to hold down a wild card spot.
If they do lose tonight against Buffalo, Blue Jackets fans shouldn’t view this season as a failure. It was quite the opposite. They’re one step closer to becoming a legitimate playoff contender. Even at the Trade Deadline, GM Don Waddell rewarded the group for their effort—keeping the rentals and adding some depth to support the push.
They’ve had the NHL’s attention since the calendar flipped to 2025. Almost every hockey fan was quietly pulling for them to sneak in. And if tonight is the end of the line, the offseason should still bring excitement. There’s a good chance they look to improve—and maybe even make a splash in free agency to come back stronger.
At this point in the season, it feels like only a matter of time until they're officially eliminated. Whether it's tonight or sometime soon, the math just isn't on their side anymore.
When (or if) that moment comes, keep it locked here—my colleague Jason Newland and I have some great things planned over the next few months.
