Games that matter, 2/27/11

YESTERDAY: You win one, you lose one.

• Kings beat Avalanche
• Stars beat Predators

One literally cancelled out the other as far as value to the CBJ was concerned.  Hence, the CBJ's playoff chances are still at 29%.

TODAY: The Nashville rematch - an early game, 3PM Eastern - awaits with a 9.2 percent improvement in playoff chances on the line...and a loss of 7.4% if the CBJ lose (Yow!).  The Blue Jackets will have last line change in the decidedly unfriendly confines of Bridgestone Arena against a team that was humiliated at Nationwide just last week despite some misplaced blogger bravado.  Problem is, the Predators find themselves on the front end of an emergency youth movement that I'm sure Poile, Trotz & Co. wish could've started at another point in time.  Mix it all together, and you have one fascinating game on your hands.  Wish I was there.

• Blue Jackets over Predators
• Blues over Flames
• Avalanche over Ducks
• Blackhawks and Coyotes gets decided in regulation

The NHL also extended the courtesy of placing the rest of the games that matter in the evening - allowing CBJ fans to focus on the crucial task at hand this afternoon before engaging in scoreboard watching all night long.  Enjoy the games, everyone!