Columbus Blue Jackets playoff tracker: Slip, sliding away

Despite dropping their sixth straight game in a 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on April 4 that made them just 1-6-7 since briefly taking over second place in the Metropolitan Division, the Blue Jackets can still earn a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. More: Columbus Blue Jackets lose sixth straight game. Replay Time is running out, however, with only five games left and they're still outside the playoff bubble while playing like a team with its wheels rapidly loosening.

Once again, the Blue Jackets (38-27-12, 88 points) couldn't capitalize on April 4 regulation losses by the New York Islanders (89 points), Ottawa Senators (88 points) and Detroit Red Wings (88 points). The Washington Capitals (87 points) also pulled closer in the playoff chat with a 6-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, bringing them to within one point of the East's second wild card and two points from third place in the Metro. Projections by MoneyPuck , The Athletic and PlayoffStatus , which formerly gave the Jackets a nearly 90% chance to qualify for the playoffs, now place it between 25% and 47% to make it, which is astounding considering that six teams are all within a two-point margin to land the East's two final postseason tickets.

Sports betting services have also flipped the Blue Jackets from favorite to underdog to make the playoffs. Here's a look: Columbus Blue Jackets playoff picture: Percentage forecast According to MoneyPuck , an NHL statistics site that generates projections by simulating the remaining NHL schedule 100,000 times, the Blue Jackets are down to a 24. 6% of qualifying for the playoffs for another drop from 33.

6% going into the game. That site gave Columbus an 87. 1% chance to make it going into a 2-1 loss on March 26 in Montreal, which they lost 2-1 to start their slide.