Blue Jackets out of playoffs again

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

While 16 NHL teams are preparing for the playoffs, for the eighth time in nine seasons, the Columbus Blue Jackets are packing up and heading to their summer homes.

“It’s disappointing,” team captain Rick Nash said.

A horrendous stretch from Nov. 21 to Jan. 5 doomed the Blue Jackets to making tee times instead of playoff arrangements. Over those 24 games, they went 3-14-7. After that, the last three months lacked any buzz.

The Blue Jackets went 32-35-15 for 79 points, missing the eighth and final playoff spot in the West by 16 points. Had the team not lost 11 games it led going into the third period, or won more than two of its 12 games that went to a shootout, things might have been different.

Instead, it’ll be another offseason of questions. Claude Noel went 10-8-6 after taking over for the fired Ken Hitchcock — not so long ago the face of the franchise. Noel will be considered for the permanent job but it’s unlikely he’ll get it.

Noel did get the team to play hard. The younger players, particularly goalie Steve Mason and forwards Jake Voracek and Derick Brassard, played much better under him this season than they did under Hitchcock’s veterans-first approach.

After winning the Calder Trophy a year ago as the NHL’s top rookie, Mason had a subpar season. He went 20-26-9 with a 3.06 goals-against average.

Nash had 33 goals and 34 assists, but he got some help this year. Antoine Vermette (65 points) Kristian Huselius (63), R.J. Umberger (55) and Voracek (50) gave the franchise five 50-point scorers for the first time.