NHL scores 2017: The Blue Jackets are falling backward into the postseason

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a date with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the playoffs. Against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Blue Jackets will likely have to be at their best to win their first ever playoff series.

Unfortunately for them, they’re falling backwards into the postseason. The Blue Jackets have picked the absolute worst time to go on their biggest losing stretch of the season, as their 5-4 loss against the Winnipeg Jets marked five defeats in a row.

Coming into Thursday, their offense had gone dry as they scored just five goals in four games. Against the Jets, however, the offense wasn’t a problem. While Columbus was able to break out of their offensive funk, they allowed three straight goals in just over 10 minutes of game time. Joonas Korpisalo gave up in five goals on 32 shots in the loss, two starts after giving up four to Toronto.

There is cause for concern about going on a cold streak right before the playoffs, but the Blue Jackets were able to show that they can, in fact, score goals. And they’ll need to, given the wall of Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury the Penguins will have in net next week.

Jets 5, Blue Jackets 4
Senators 2, Bruins 1 (OT)
Penguins 7, Devils 4
Islanders 3, Hurricanes 0
Lightning 4, Maple Leafs 1
Blues 6, Panthers 3
Predators 7, Stars 3
Wild 4, Avalanche 3
Coyotes 4, Canucks 3
Ducks 4, Blackhawks 0
Flames 4, Kings 1
Oilers 4, Sharks 2

1. A hot streak has come too little too late for Winnipeg

The Jets have won six straight and eight of their last 10 games. Pretty great, right? Well the Jets were eliminated in late March and since then, they’ve been one of the best teams in the league. With just one game left on their schedule, they could end the season five points off the playoff ticket.

Hey, at least it hasn’t been all doom and gloom in Winnipeg this season!

2. The Avalanche didn’t score, were given a goal, then had it taken away

Stay with us here. The Wild won 4-3 in Colorado on Thursday. The Avalanche thought they tied it late with a garbage time goal from Sven Andrighetto. It was initially ruled off as the whistle blew before the goal crossed the line. The refs reviewed and signaled good goal, then Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau challenged the call and it was reversed.

The reason? Goaltender interference.

After reviewing all available replays and consulting with NHL Hockey Operations staff, the Referee determined that Nathan MacKinnon’s actions caused Minnesota’s Jonas Brodin to contact Dubnyk before the puck crossed the goal line, preventing him from doing his job in the crease.

3. Status quo remains in the East

With the Maple Leafs losing to the Lightning and the Islanders winning, there was no change in the wild card standings.

It could all be over Friday evening, as the Lighting play Montreal in a win or go home scenario.

4. It was a high-scoring kind of night

In a strange bookend to finish the 2016-17 season, the final few days have been filled with high scoring games. The Penguins clinched home ice in the playoffs with a 7-4 victory in a barnburner against the Devils. Nashville then stomped on the Stars 7-3 to curtail a rough start to April.

Ten of the 12 games on Thursday featured a team scoring four or more goals in their respective games. Gotta love the final week of the season.

5. Connor McDavid hit 30 goals

It’s likely the first of many 30-goal seasons for the Oilers captain.

Sidney Crosby remains as ridiculous as always.