Reeling In The Wings & Blue Jackets…Ottawa Senators Must Win Games Continue

The Ottawa Senators’ win over the Winnipeg Jets didn’t change too much, but it did allow them to keep pace with the pack that is trying to reel in the Detroit Red Wings for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.  As I wrote on Saturday, the 4 teams chasing the Wings need to act as kind of a pack mentality to reel in Detroit.  Well, on Saturday, that is exactly what happened.  With wins from Washington, Columbus, New Jersey and, yes, the Ottawa Senators all posting wins, the heat has turned up on the Wings.

Mar 8, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) celebrates his win with teammates after the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Ottawa wins 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

That continues Sunday afternoon, where Martin St. Louis and the New York Rangers can do themselves and the other playoff contenders a huge favor with a win over the Wings, who have at least 1 game in hand on each of the 4 teams chasing them.  And it might not be the Wings with the target on their backs for very long.  The Blue Jackets and Wings are currently tied for the last spot (Wings have it based on fewer GP), and they face each other on Tuesday night.

The Senators have closed to within 4 points, of the last spot with the Win in Winnipeg, but they can’t take an easy breath because they know there are going to be 2 points given out on Tuesday so a win on Monday at home against Nashville is as important as the win on Saturday against Winnipeg.  They won’t gain ground on the 8th spot, but they will certainly lose ground if they do not win.