Eastern Playoff Bubble: Blue Jackets vs Senators | March 29, 2026
Published 3/29/2026
Quick Take
- The Blue Jackets currently hold the last playoff spot with 87 points.
- The Blue Jackets have 87 points, while the Senators have 86 points, a gap of 1 point.
- A tiebreaker based on ROW would favor the Senators if they finish tied with the Blue Jackets, but for now, the Blue Jackets are in control of their own destiny.
The Eastern Conference playoff bubble is heating up, with the Blue Jackets (87 pts) and Senators (86 pts) battling for the last wild card spot. The Blue Jackets are clinging to their playoff hopes, while the Senators are pushing hard to overtake them. With only a few games left, the pressure is mounting on both teams.
The current playoff cutoff line has the Bruins (90 pts) and Blue Jackets (87 pts) in the wild card spots, while the Senators (86 pts) and Red Wings (86 pts) are on the outside looking in. The Capitals (81 pts) and Flyers (82 pts) are still mathematically alive, but their chances are dwindling. The Blue Jackets are barely holding on, and the Senators are knocking on the door.
If the Blue Jackets and Senators finish tied in points, the Senators would take the playoff spot due to their superior ROW total, 32 to 27. However, the Blue Jackets are focused on accumulating as many points as possible to avoid a potential tiebreaker scenario. The ROW tiebreaker could ultimately decide the fate of these two teams.
The schedule down the stretch will be crucial in determining the final playoff spot. The Blue Jackets have a tough road ahead, with several games against top teams, while the Senators have a more favorable schedule. The Red Wings (86 pts) are also still in the mix, and their remaining games will be closely watched as they push for a playoff berth. With the Flyers (82 pts) and Capitals (81 pts) facing long odds, it's essentially a three-team race for the last spot.
