Blue Jackets' Playoff Fate Hangs on Hurricanes Series

0:00On March 31st, the Columbus Bluejack had sit in a wild car playoff spot heading into Tuesday night, with their fate hangs on the next two games in a home and home against the Carolina Hurricanes. First ones at home in Columbus, then Thursday in Raleigh. They trailed the New York Islanders by just one point, with a game in hand, so they kind of controlled their destiny right now. A sweep of the Hurricanes would lock them in strong for their last six games, maybe even jumping to third in the Metro division. But two losses that drops them out of control, with teams like Ottawa and Detroit lurking thanks to tie breakers. Coming off a rough weekend where they grabbed just one point from four possible, these games could end their season. Boojacket's coach Rick Bownes ripped into defensive lapses after the Bruins shootout loss, saying players got to learn playoff hockey and stop. Letting teams skate down the middle unchecked. Jackson-Zack Werencky owned a two, admitting they blew a three-nothing lead by not competing smart. Meanwhile, Hurricanes coach Rod Brennan Moore says his squad's been solid since the break,

1:04except their last trip to Columbus. On the injury front, Matio Olivier's out a couple weeks, so Ken Johnson steps in, with Bownes pushing him to skate smart and win board battles. Jet Greaves starts in net for Columbus, while Carolina rolls with Brandon Bussey and the same skaters from Sunday. Lucadel-Bell-Bellus skated but sits Tuesday. These matchups against the Metro's top team are due or die, putting the jackets on the edge of playoffs or packing it up early. Wins keep the dream alive in 98 points with a four and three finish. Losses mean they got to be near perfect down the stretch, buckle up, it's crunch time. You've been listening to NHL News today, AI Power Team Coverage.