Columbus Takes Huge Step Forward

The Stanley Cup won't be handed out until June, but this is the time when we see teams making runs at the playoffs. And you can't win the Cup if you don't make the playoffs. Race for the Cup is your daily check of where your favorite team stands as the season dwindles.

They won't win the Central Division, but the Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the real intriguing stories of this NHL season. A 5-0 blowout of Calgary Thursday night put the Jackets in great position to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. It was another shutout for Steve Mason, and another big night for Rick Nash. Mason pitched the shutout, while Nash dished out four assists.

In the East

Eastern Conference, 3/26 1. y-Boston Bruins 102 pts 2. x-New Jersey Devils 97 3. x-Washington Capitals 97 4. Philadelphia Flyers 90 5. Carolina Hurricanes 89 6. Pittsburgh Penguins 88 7. New York Rangers 86 8. Montreal Canadiens 83 9. Florida Panthers 81 10. Buffalo Sabres 78

Eastern Conference, 3/27 1. y-Boston Bruins 102 pts 2. x-New Jersey Devils 97 3. x-Washington Capitals 97 4. Philadelphia Flyers 90 5. Carolina Hurricanes 89 6. Pittsburgh Penguins 88 7. New York Rangers 87 8. Montreal Canadiens 85 9. Florida Panthers 83 10. Buffalo Sabres 78

No movement in the overall standings from Wednesday's action, but Florida is not ready to wilt away. With a 4-2 win over Philadelphia, the Panthers kept pace with eighth-place Montreal, who won in overtime over Tampa Bay after kicking away a 2-0 lead.

The New York Rangers only lost out on one point, so it could have been worse, but blowing a 4-1 lead and losing in a shootout to Atlanta probably won't sit well with John Tortorella.

In the West

Western Conference, 3/26 1. y-San Jose Sharks 107 pts 2. x-Detroit Red Wings 107 3. Calgary Flames 90 4. Chicago Blackhawks 89 5. Vancouver Canucks 87 6. Columbus Blue Jackets 83 7. Anaheim Ducks 80 8. Edmonton Oilers 79 9. Nashville Predators 78 10. Minnesota Wild 78 11. St. Louis Blues 77 12. Dallas Stars 74

Western Conference, 3/27 1. x-Detroit Red Wings 107 pts 2. y-San Jose Sharks 107 3. Calgary Flames 90 4. Chicago Blackhawks 89 5. Vancouver Canucks 87 6. Columbus Blue Jackets 85 7. Anaheim Ducks 80 8. Nashville Predators 80 9. Edmonton Oilers 79 10. St. Louis Blues 79 11. Minnesota Wild 78 12. Dallas Stars 75

Nashville's regulation win over San Jose propelled the Predators back into the eighth spot in the West, and it also meant that San Jose dropped back to second in the West. The Sharks have already won the Pacific Division, but home ice throughout the West playoffs is up for grabs.

As already mentioned, Columbus solidified their spot in sixth by pounding Calgary. They now lead seventh-place Anaheim by five points.

Calgary's lead over Vancouver in the Northwest stays at three points, as the Canucks took a 3-2 loss at St. Louis. With the win, the Blues move into tenth in the West, just one point behind Anaheim and Nashville.

Edmonton could have moved back into the top eight, but fell behind 3-0 in a 3-2 loss at Phoenix.

Dallas' chances took a huge hit with a goalless effort against Los Angeles. Marty Turco got a shutout, but took a 1-0 shootout loss.

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What's Next

Buffalo is a longshot at this point, but they can help themselves with a home win over Toronto. They hope to have Ryan Miller back in goal for the game.

By cooling off red-hot Anaheim Friday night, Edmonton can take a big step forward after the step back they had Thursday in Phoenix.

x - Clinched Playoff Spot, y - Division Champ, z - Conference Champ; green - Rise in the Standings, red - Fall