The Puck Drops Here 4.15.15: #BlueJackets Season In Review & #NHLPlayoffs

By @CLulovics

The 2014-2015 NHL season for the Columbus Blue Jackets didn't go the way everyone envisioned it. The season for them was basically decided within the first few months of the campaign as injuries mounted up and the team couldn't overcome it. But despite all the injuries the Jackets never gave up, never quit, didn't tank for a better draft pick, and played for themselves and for the fans. That was made clear when they went 12-0-1 in their last 13 games and winning 15 of their last 17 games setting franchise records for most consecutive games with a point at 13 and longest win streak at 9. They also lost a team record and NHL leading 508 man games lost due to all the injuries they sustained during the season.

Statistically the Jackets were lead by Nick Foligno (31g 42a 73p), Ryan Johansen (26g 45a 71p), Scott Hartnell (28g 32a 60p), Jack Johnson (8g 32a 40p), Cam Atkinson (22g 18a 40p). The young core of players who were not expected to play in the big leagues this year (Marko Dano, Alexander Wennberg) proved not only can they play in the NHL but played above what anyone predicted. Dano was a force out there getting under the skin of the opposing players while Wennberg dazzled with his puck possession skills. Head Coach Todd Richards became the winningest coach in franchise history with a win over the Buffalo Sabres on April 10 passing former Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock with his 126th win.

With the mid season signings of players and a core of young talent the future is very bright for the team especially the way they ended. The last month of the season fans finally saw what the team is capable of when they are healthy and playing as one unit.

NHL PLAYOFFS

 The New York Rangers clinched the Presidents trophy as being the team with the most points during the season and are the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference The Anaheim Ducks will be the number one seed. The pairings are as followed:


EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins (game 1 4/16 in New York)
Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators (game 1 4/15 in Montreal)
Tampa Bay Lightening vs Detroit Red Wings (game 1 4/16 in Tampa)
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders (game 1 4/15 in Washington)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks vs Winnipeg Jets (game 1 4/16 in Aneheim)
St. Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild (game 1 4/16 in St. Louis)
Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks (game 1 4/15 in Nashville)
Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames (game 1 4/15 in Vancouver)

All NHL Playoff games will be televised on either NHL Network, NBCSN, USA, CNBC, or NBC. As always check http://triplethreatcle.com/ for the daily NHL Playoff TV Schedule as it is updated with all the top shows for the night including the NHL Playoffs. But since your reading this you prolly already know that but if this is your first time check it out anyway daily for all your TV, NHL, Every Cleveland Sports. Just check it out already if you havent!!!!!!!!!

NHL DRAFT LOTTERY AND NHL DRAFT

The 2015 NHL Draft Lottery will be held on Saturday April 18 right after game 2 of the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins game and will be on NBC. The 2015 NHL Draft will be held on June 26 and 27 at BB&T Center the home of the Florida Panthers.

Until next time and as always CARRY THE FLAG, WE ARE THE FIFTH LINE, AND BATTLE ON!!!!!!!