By Zach Davis
FOXSportsOhio.com
The Blue Jackets sure don't look like a playoff team, but that doesn't mean they've given up hope just yet.
Losers of nine of its last 10 games, Columbus (32-28-10) finds itself nine points back of Calgary for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 12 games remaining.
"I think when there were 20-25 games left we knew it would be difficult," Columbus captain Rick Nash said. "Anything can happen, we are believing in here. We could put a huge run together. Anything can happen. We know we just have to win games while we still believe."
Nash's play has been one of the factors in the Blue Jackets recent turn of fortune. As Columbus has struggled in the last 10 games, Nash has just five points (all assists) and a +/- rating of -3.
In the previous 10 games, Nash recorded 12 points (6 G, 6 A) and posted a +/- rating of 5 as the Jackets went 8-1-1 and moved to within two points of playoff contention.
"I'm a streaky player, I would say," Nash said. "It's tough I've had a couple chances and posts. I'm getting the chances, which is still the important thing."
"I'm not going to tell a guy that is a Rocket Richard Trophy winner that he's not a goal scorer," said Head Coach Scott Arniel, referencing Nash's 41-goal season in 2003. "He like the rest of our team is having trouble putting it in the net. We are hitting sticks, skates, crossbars and goalies outside the net. It's not like he's not working and competing. He's doing everything he can."
Another culprit of the team's recent spiral has been Steve Mason's early-game struggles. The 22-year-old goaltender has given up two or more goals in seven of his last 11 starts.
"You always want to play with the lead, especially at home," Nash said. "We have to come out stronger and more focused and not let the other team score on the first shift."
While the effort has not been questioned during the losing streak, some Blue Jackets believe part of the problem has been the team's missing out on lucky breaks.
"I don't know if it's something we are not doing to prepare or it's been bad luck," Derek MacKenzie said. "I think the efforts been there. Aside from the Edmonton game, I think the last few weeks we deserved a better fate.
"This is the time everyone is trying to roll into the playoffs and get momentum. It doesn't surprise me we have had close games, it's just unfortunate we haven't had a break and been on the other side of them."
"Some would say it's the 'Hockey Gods' and others would say it's just bad luck," Arniel said. "You just have to find a way to put that puck in the net."
One issue to the recent scoring troubles, displayed as recently as last night's shutout to Detroit's backup goaltender, may be the mounting pressure which has grown with each loss.
"We are gripping our sticks tight and are forcing," Arniel said. "We are getting to the stage when we are probably not making the right decisions on when to shoot or when not to."
Columbus will look to finish off the weekend with a pair of wins to keep its slim playoff hopes alive. The Jackets travel to Minnesota (35-29-7) on Saturday at 2 p.m. before returning home to take on New Jersey (33-33-4) on Sunday at 5 p.m.
