Blue Jackets Playoff Chances: How Columbus Can Still Make 2026 NHL Postseason

The Blue Jackets remain alive for the third spot in the Metropolitan Division with two games left in the regular season.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a hockey game, with players and the ice surface broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, creating a dynamic, abstract composition.The Blue Jackets' playoff hopes rest on the outcome of their final two games, a high-stakes conclusion to the regular season.Boston Today

The Columbus Blue Jackets are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the 2025-26 NHL season, but they'll need to win their final two games and get some help from other teams to clinch a postseason berth. The Blue Jackets currently sit in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division, trailing the Philadelphia Flyers. Columbus will host the Boston Bruins on Sunday, and a regulation win would keep their playoff hopes alive heading into the final game of the season against the Washington Capitals.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2023-24 season. A postseason appearance would be a major accomplishment for the team and its fans, who have endured a few lean years. The race for the third and final playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division is coming down to the wire, making the final two games of the season crucial for Columbus.

The details

The Blue Jackets currently trail the Flyers by two points in the standings, but they own the tiebreaker with more regulation wins. A regulation win over the Bruins on Sunday would tie the Blue Jackets and Flyers in points, while also giving Columbus the tiebreaker. The Flyers' magic number to eliminate the Blue Jackets is three, so any combination of Flyers' points gained and Blue Jackets' points lost totaling three would allow Philadelphia to clinch third place. The Blue Jackets' final game against the Capitals could also have major playoff implications, depending on how the other results shake out.

  • The Blue Jackets have two games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season.
  • Columbus hosts the Boston Bruins on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The Blue Jackets conclude the regular season with a home game against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Boone Jenner

A forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who had a strong performance in the team's recent win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Charlie Coyle

A forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who also played well in the win over Montreal.

Jet Greaves

The goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets who helped secure the victory over the Canadiens.

Alex Ovechkin

The star forward for the Washington Capitals, whose potential final regular season game could have playoff implications for the Blue Jackets.

Philadelphia Flyers

The team currently holding the third playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division, which the Blue Jackets are chasing.

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What they’re saying

“We know what's at stake and we're going to leave it all out on the ice. This is the time of year we play for.”

— Boone Jenner, Forward, Columbus Blue Jackets

What’s next

The Blue Jackets' playoff hopes will come down to the results of their final two games. A regulation win over the Bruins on Sunday would keep their postseason dreams alive heading into the season finale against the Capitals. The Flyers' results in their final two games will also be crucial, as the Blue Jackets need Philadelphia to drop points in order to overtake them in the standings.

The takeaway

The Blue Jackets are in a must-win situation in their final two games of the season, but they still have a path to the playoffs if they can take care of business and get some help from other teams. This late-season push highlights the competitive nature of the Metropolitan Division and the high stakes facing Columbus as they try to end their playoff drought.