Blue Jackets Cling to Playoff Spot Despite Recent Losses

Columbus team maintains wild card position despite 4th straight defeat, as rivals also struggle

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:07am

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have lost 4 games in a row and 5 of their last 6, yet they still hold the second wild card spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference playoff race. Despite the recent skid, the Jackets have managed to maintain their position as other teams chasing them in the standings have also been unable to gain ground.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets' ability to stay in playoff position despite their own losing streak highlights the parity and unpredictability of the NHL's jam-packed postseason race. While the team would prefer to win games outright, their resilience in the face of adversity has kept them in the hunt for a coveted playoff berth.

The details

In their latest defeat, the Blue Jackets fell 5-2 to the first-place Carolina Hurricanes on March 31. However, with 88 points, the Jackets still hold the second wild card spot, as the teams trailing them in the standings - Ottawa, Detroit, and Philadelphia - also lost on the same night. The Blue Jackets have now lost 4 games in a row and 5 of their last 6, but have managed to maintain their playoff position due to the struggles of their closest competitors.

  • The Blue Jackets lost 5-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes on March 31.
  • The Blue Jackets have lost 4 games in a row and 5 of their last 6 games.

The players

Rick Bowness

Head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Zach Werenski

Defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Kirill Marchenko

Forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Adam Fantilli

Forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Nikolaj Ehlers

Forward for the Carolina Hurricanes.

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What they’re saying

“Tonight was a step in the right direction. Our structure was good. Our PK kind of killed us, but we created a lot of offense. I actually think we played better than maybe our record showed the last week.”

— Zach Werenski, Defenseman

“We worked our tails off to get here. Like Z said, the last week and a half we've been playing better than our record shows. So we're playing good hockey.”

— Adam Fantilli, Forward

What’s next

The Blue Jackets will have a chance to gain ground on the Hurricanes when the two teams meet again on April 2. A win would be huge for Columbus, while even a single point would help their playoff push.

The takeaway

The Blue Jackets' ability to maintain their playoff position despite a recent losing streak underscores the unpredictability and parity of the NHL's postseason race. While the team would prefer to win games outright, their resilience has kept them in the hunt, raising questions about whether their 'luck' can continue to hold.