Eastern Playoff Bubble: Senators vs Blue Jackets | April 9, 2026
Published 4/9/2026
Quick Take
- The Senators (OTT) currently hold the bubble lead with 92 points.
- The last team in, Senators (OTT), has 92 points, while the first team out, Blue Jackets (CBJ), has 90 points, a gap of 2 points.
- In the event of a tie, the Senators (OTT) have a significant advantage in the ROW tiebreaker with 35 regulation wins.
The playoff bubble in the East is heating up, with the Senators (OTT) and Blue Jackets (CBJ) separated by just 2 points. The Senators (OTT) are fighting to hold on to their spot, while the Blue Jackets (CBJ) are pushing to overtake them. Brady Tkachuk and the Senators (OTT) are looking to make a strong finish to the season.
The current cutoff line has the Bruins (BOS) at 96 points and the Senators (OTT) at 92 points, with the Blue Jackets (CBJ) on the outside looking in at 90 points. The Capitals (WSH), Red Wings (DET), and Islanders (NYI) are all still in the mix, but need to make up ground quickly. The Senators (OTT) are clinging to the last wild card spot.
In the event of a tie, the Senators (OTT) have a significant advantage with 35 regulation wins, which would serve as the tiebreaker. This could be crucial in determining the final playoff spot, as the Blue Jackets (CBJ) have just 27 regulation wins. The Capitals (WSH) and Red Wings (DET) also have a higher ROW total than the Blue Jackets (CBJ), which could impact the final standings.
The schedule down the stretch will be crucial, with the Senators (OTT) facing a tough road ahead, including matchups against the Bruins (BOS) and other playoff contenders. The Blue Jackets (CBJ), on the other hand, have a more favorable schedule, which could give them an opportunity to make up ground. The Capitals (WSH) and Red Wings (DET) are also playing well, which could make for an interesting finish to the season.
