Blue Jackets dark‑horse case
The Columbus Blue Jackets are being touted as a legitimate Stanley Cup dark horse — advanced stats and recent trends have analysts upgrading their postseason odds. The Athletic lays out 16 metrics underpinning the claim amid a tightening playoff race. (nytimes.com).
Columbus extended its point streak to 11 games and is 6-0-4 during that run, sitting 17-2-4 over its past 23 games. (nhl.com)) The surge has moved Columbus to a 36-21-11 record for 83 points and into third place in the Metropolitan Division as of March 19, 2026. (espn.com)) The club’s turnaround coincides with a midseason coaching split: Rick Bowness has gone 16-2-4 since taking over while Dean Evason finished the earlier portion of the season 19-19-7. (hockey-reference.com)) Advanced, score‑and‑venue‑adjusted metrics show Columbus with a 5v5 xGF% of 50.55% and a score‑and‑venue‑adjusted xGF% of 51.19%, figures that indicate the team has been generating more high‑quality chances than it has allowed. (naturalstattrick.com)) Key contributors during the run include Kirill Marchenko (25 goals on the season), Charlie Coyle (a four‑point game on March 17), and Adam Fantilli (two goals in the 6–3 win over the Rangers on March 19). (nhl.com)) Goaltending has stabilized behind Jet Greaves, who leads the team with 21 wins, a 2.64 goals‑against average and a.908 save percentage, while Elvis Merzlikins has recorded a.885 save percentage in 27 appearances. (nhl.com)) The hot stretch has pulled Columbus to within one point of the Eastern Conference wild‑card positions, tightening the playoff race in which the Blue Jackets are now a live factor. (nhl.com))
