With 50 games down, Columbus is in the mix for a postseason berth, and the Jackets say they're embracing the challenge

The Senators came back and emerged victorious in a playoff-like atmosphere against the Bruins at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Analyzing Saturday’s Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

Knocking on the door along with Ottawa are perennial Atlantic Division also-rans Montreal and Detroit. Also in the Eastern Conference mix are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hopped over the Bruins in the standings on Thursday and are everyone’s sentimental favorite in this surprise run after the Johnny Gaudreau tragedy last summer.

The Columbus Blue Jackets ... With another win, the Jackets maintain their spot in the wild card race and currently have a one point lead over the Ottawa Senators for the final playoff spot ...

and for now the Blue Jackets have the second one at 55 points through 50 games. The Tampa Bay Lightning are in the first wild card with 55 points in 48 games, while the Ottawa Senators (54 points ...

Blue Jackets goalie Daniil Tarasov posted his first NHL shutout in a stinging shootout loss, but kept his team in a playoff spot: 3 takeways

The Blue Jackets are not going to sell at the upcoming NHL trade deadline, including on pending free agents like Ivan Provorov.

Bobby McMann has been amazing for the Buds this season, and our Maple Leafs vs. Senators predictions take him to get a point tonight.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were in a tailspin and on the way to another ... This season has seen other clubs — finally — begin to close the gap, with the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings all challenging for playoff spots.

took the goaltending loss for the Blue Jackets (22-18-7). Columbus longer occupies one of the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference, falling behind the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins ...