© Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/573d25ee-3976-4ced-99c5-916da1666e20.jpeg] © Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images The Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets] are in one of the tightest wild card races we’ve seen in years. As of March 27, 2025, five teams are battling for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. To make things even more interesting, there’s still a mathematical chance that any of those teams could catch the Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] for the first wild card position. With teams having between nine and 11 games remaining in the 2024-25 NHL season, fans should buckle up—these next few weeks are going to be intense. Scoreboard Watch For Thursday, March 27 [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f3aed459-b369-43cc-824f-59d58f056c20.jpeg] Scoreboard Watch For Thursday, March 27 The Columbus Blue Jackets haven't had to scoreboard-watch in March and April in a few years, but here we are. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/scoreboard-watch-for-thursday-march-27] For the Blue Jackets, 12 games remain, and they sit just two points behind the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] for WC2 and six points back of the Senators for WC1. With the playoffs less than a month away, it’s the perfect time to break down their remaining schedule and the key matchups ahead. Blue Jackets Schedule: Friday March 28: vs. Vancouver Canucks Saturday March 29: @ Ottawa Senators Tuesday April 1: vs. Nashville Predators Thursday April 3: vs. Colorado Avalanche Saturday April 5: @ Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday April 6: @ Ottawa Senators Tuesday April 8: vs. Ottawa Senators Thursday April 10: vs. Buffalo Sabres Saturday April 12: vs. Washington Capitals Sunday April 13: @ Washington Capitals Tuesday April 15: @ Philadelphia Flyers Thursday April 17: vs. New York Islanders Of the 12 remaining games, four stand out as crucial to the Blue Jackets’ playoff hopes. Their three matchups against the Senators could be the difference between making or missing the playoffs. If Columbus can win all three, it could push them into a wild card spot and significantly shake up the standings. The other pivotal game is against the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] on Thursday, April 17. If the standings remain tight, there’s a real possibility that this game will determine the final playoff spot in the East. To add to the drama, it’s also Columbus’ last game of the season—making it potentially the biggest game of the year. Buckle up, Blue Jackets fans—the next three weeks are going to be a wild ride. Blue Jackets Sign Another Undrafted NCAA Defenseman [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1cd97ebf-9d4a-41a3-9c10-31e400e8647a.jpeg] Blue Jackets Sign Another Undrafted NCAA Defenseman It's that time of year when undrafted NCAA players start signing entry-level contracts with NHL teams, and the Columbus Blue Jackets have been particularly active in adding college talent. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-sign-another-undrafted-ncaa-defensemen] Blue Jackets Sign Defense Prospect Charlie Elick [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d3952172-b567-461c-9715-cabcf8011949.jpeg] Blue Jackets Sign Defense Prospect Charlie Elick The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defense prospect Charlie Elick to a three-year entry-level contract. Yesterday, the Blue Jackets made another signing, when they agreed to a two-year deal with Jack Williams from Northeastern University. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-sign-defense-prospect-charlie-elick] Loading The Cannon: Jack Williams [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/77b25dad-aa48-4273-ae11-0b80bfd50fdc.jpeg] Loading The Cannon: Jack Williams Yesterday, the Blue Jackets announced the signing of forward Jack Williams of the Northeastern University Huskies. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/loading-the-cannon-jack-williams] Blue Jackets Assign Prospect To AHL Monsters [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/106edd8e-a894-44b3-9ff3-1b806fcb73ae.webp] Blue Jackets Assign Prospect To AHL Monsters The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have assigned OHL prospect Luca Pinelli to the AHL, where he will join the Cleveland Monsters. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/blue-jackets-assign-prospect-to-ahl-monsters]
