What to Watch This Week: March 17-23

The Four Nations Faceoff, Stadium Series, and Trade Deadline have all come and gone, and somehow the Columbus Blue Jackets are in the thick of a playoff race with under 15 games to go. While the Jackets need to keep their focus on winning their games (emphasis added), the 5th Line can start scoreboard watching for the other seven(!) teams battling for the third spot in the Metro and the two Eastern Conference Wild Card berths.

Let’s start things off by taking a look at the standings…

For the hyper-vigilant scoreboard watchers, I’ve picked one game per day this week with the strongest relevance to the CBJ (that doesn’t actually involve the CBJ). Priority will be given to games that don’t conflict with Columbus’ so that you can, ya know, actually watch them.

Monday, March 17th

Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins, 7:00 PM

To be clear, you should watch the Blue Jackets game tonight. If Columbus wants to have any hope of catching the New Jersey Devils for the third Metro spot, hell even make the playoffs, they need to win this game. I said last week that a 1-5 stretch in the midst of a playoff race is about as soul-crushing as it gets, and we’re on the brink of that. But, if you want to get something going on a second screen, Sabres-Bruins is the only other game involving an Eastern Conference team on the bubble. With games played taken into account, it’s a must-win for Boston, which unfortunately requires the 5th Line putting our hopes into the Buffalo Sabres.

Other Game: New Jersey at Columbus, 7:00

Tuesday, March 18th

Detroit Red Wings at Washington Capitals, 7:00 PM

I came to a realization after writing last week’s WTWTW; games featuring two bubble teams actually aren’t that great in terms of rooting interest. You’re basically just rooting for a regulation finish. So with that said, I’m picking the Red Wings-Capitals game over Sens-Habs. Detroit is just 2-6 in March, and now have to face the top team in the East. Once again, it’s do-or-die, but unlike for the Bruins, the Red Wings will be the road underdogs instead of home favorites. Also, Alexander Ovechkin may be close to some milestone or something, idk.

Other Games: Ottawa at Montreal, 7:00; Calgary at NY Rangers, 7:00; NY Islanders at Pittsburgh, 7:00

Wednesday, March 19th

Colorado Avalanche at Toronto Maple Leaves, 7:00 PM

Well, there’s only one game Wednesday night that involves an Eastern Conference team, so let’s go with that. The new-look Colorado Avalanche start their Eastern Canada road trip in the Cold Apple, facing the Toronto Maple Leaves. After leading the Atlantic a couple weeks ago, Toronto is now in a tie for second with Tampa Bay, and only four points ahead of the Ottawa Senators. Though, to be frank, the result here won’t really have a big impact on the Blue Jackets.

Thursday, March 20th

Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders, 7:30 PM

I know I went on a tangent on double-bubble games literally two paragraphs ago, but every other relevant game either starts at 7:00 along with the Jackets-Panthers game, or involves the Bruins, who have already been featured and will be again. This Canadians-Islanders showdown is on a half-hour delay, allowing for some opportunities to watch during the intermissions of the Columbus game. For the Islanders, they’re in a similar spot to the Jackets, and need to start winning consistently again in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. For Montreal, they’re suddenly on the brink of the playoffs, making every game all the more important. Go… regulation finish!

Other Games: Florida at Columbus, 7:00; Calgary at New Jersey, 7:00; Colorado at Ottawa, 7:00; Toronto at NY Rangers, 7:00; Boston at Vegas, 10:00

Friday, March 21st

Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:00 PM

Surprisingly, the only game on the NHL slate Friday night features the Blue Jackets visiting the Penguins. We’ll have more coverage of this matchup on Friday, but needless to say it’s critical Columbus wins.

Saturday, March 22nd

Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers, 1:00 PM

With the Jackets playing back-to-back Thursday and Friday, that allows the 5th Line to kick back, relax, and stress out about other games Saturday. There’s potential for a quadruple-header here, and it starts with Vancouver Canucks visiting the New York Rangers. JT Miller (and Carson Soucy) will be facing their old team, who are in the thick of a Wild Card race of their own. Hopefully, they’re able to come into Madison Square Garden and take care of business, to help keep them in range of the Blue Jackets. After that, there’s Islanders-Flames at 4:00, Sharks-Bruins at 10:30, and several games in the normal night slot. Plus, if you’re an Ohio State fan, the Buckeyes are playing in the Big Ten championship at 7:30.

Other Games: Calgary at NY Islanders, 4:00; Ottawa at New Jersey, 7:00; Colorado at Montreal, 7:00; Ohio State at Michigan State, 7:30; Detroit at Vegas, 8:00; Boston at San Jose, 10:30

Sunday, March 23rd

Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings, 9:00 PM

We end this article how we began it, with the Bruins being the only relevant team playing that night. This is the third game in their Southwest road trip, following their games against Vegas on Thursday and San Jose on Saturday. Less than 24 hours after the Sharks game, the Bruins face the LA Kings, who seem to be on crash course with the Edmonton Oilers for the fourth straight year. Every win will help to get Los Angeles closer to home ice advantage in that series, while the Bruins are trying to just stay alive. Let’s hope for the former, instead of the latter.