Blue Jackets' Damon Severson Discusses Intense Playoff Push After Kraken Win

Columbus defenseman talks about his team's battle to secure a postseason berth with games dwindling down.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:34am

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After the Columbus Blue Jackets' win over the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, defenseman Damon Severson spoke about his team's intense push to secure a playoff spot. The Blue Jackets have won 5 of their last 6 games and are now sitting in third place in the Metropolitan Division, but they remain in a tight race with the New York Islanders for a postseason berth.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets' playoff push is crucial as they look to return to the postseason after missing out last year. With the Islanders hot on their heels, every game down the stretch will be pivotal in determining which team secures the final playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.

The details

Severson acknowledged that the Blue Jackets are well aware of their current position in the standings and the importance of continuing to play well as they battle other teams also fighting for playoff positioning. He noted that with the dwindling number of games left, the team needs to keep up their strong play in order to secure a postseason berth.

  • The Blue Jackets defeated the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • The Blue Jackets and Islanders will face off on Sunday, March 22, 2026 in a crucial divisional matchup.

The players

Damon Severson

A defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets who spoke about his team's intense playoff push after their recent win over the Seattle Kraken.

Rick Bowness

The head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who took over the team earlier this season and has helped guide them into playoff position.

Dean Evason

The former head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who was replaced by Rick Bowness earlier this season.

New York Islanders

The team directly behind the Blue Jackets in the Metropolitan Division playoff race, with the two teams set to face off in a crucial matchup.

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What they’re saying

“We know where we're at. We've battled this far to get in the position we're in, to kind of battle back and put us in a good spot here moving forward.”

— Damon Severson, Defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets

“All the teams we're playing are in the hunt for the playoffs down the stretch here, so our games are dwindling down but if we keep playing like that, we're going to have success more often than not.”

— Damon Severson, Defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets

What’s next

The Blue Jackets and Islanders will face off on Sunday, March 22, 2026 in a crucial divisional matchup that could have major implications on the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

The Blue Jackets' playoff push highlights the intense competition for postseason berths, especially in tight divisional races like the one in the Metropolitan. With the Islanders right on their heels, every game down the stretch will be crucial for Columbus as they look to secure a return to the playoffs.