
NHL playoffs have plenty of intrigue — but who has enough to win the Stanley Cup?
NY Post
On Thursday night, we were all Blue Jackets. For all time, we will remember Columbus, a team, organization and fan base that elevated the sport in the wake of unspeakable tragedy.
The Jackets may have fallen short in their quest to make the playoffs but the franchise shined a light on the power of community in Columbus’ response to the deaths of the beloved Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
Just about every team likes to call itself a family. Much, if not most of the time, that’s a fable. But not the 2024-25 Blue Jackets, inspired by Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s widow, and the entire clan, represented the best of families.
Credit the organization; credit the stewardship of president-general manager Don Waddell; the influence of senior adviser John Davidson; the leadership of head coach Dean Evason; and the comradery of the group fostered by Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau’s best friend, that came together rather than splintering apart.

The old genius had finally gotten one move ahead of himself. That seemed clear. There were eight games left in the hockey season. The Devils, veteran team, were already inside the bracket, comfortably, on the way to 102 points. They’d been mailing it in lately, more a reflection of the time in the schedule than any lack of talent.