The Glass is Now 3/4 Full

It was three months ago and some change, December 5th to be exact, when I sat down to write for the first time here at The Union Blue. On the day prior  CBJ fans had suffered a significant lower body injury when it was announced that Bob was going to be out for 4-6 weeks. Gaborik was already out and Horton was at least a month away from being in. Things looked bleak. Looking though my blue tinted glasses, I somehow mustered up the courage to declare that the glass was 1/3 full.

I’m ready to upgrade my assessment. The glass is now 3/4 full. Actually, after the Blue Jackets clipped the Red Wings last night at Nationwide, the glass is now 77.7% full. What’s in it? A Metropolitan of course.

Three months ago, the Blue Jackets were three points out of  third place in the Metro. But as I noted back on December 5th, if the CBJ were in any of the other three divisions, they would have been 10, 13 or 15 points out of that third spot. That was all the oil I needed to keep the flame of hope burning. Three months later, the Blue Jackets are sitting in the third playoff spot in the Metro, only a point out of second. And the flame burns as brightly as it ever has during the season. I’m not going to say that I told you so (although I realize that by saying I’m not telling you that I told you so it actually sounds like I am telling you that I told you so).

The Metro has become a bare knuckle brawl, but we kind of figured that would be the case. The Jackets have 73 points, one point behind the Rangers and the same point total as Philly. New Jersey and Washington are right there with 71 and 70 points respectively. Meanwhile, the Metro is catching up to the other three divisions slightly in terms of the point totals for the top three teams in each division. Still, if the Jackets were in any of the other three divisions, they would be 4, 9 or 16 games out of the third spot.  And that’s after going 23-14-2 since December 5th. So the Metropolitan is certainly the drink of choice.

It’s not party time yet, which is a replacement cliche for “there still is a lot of hockey left.” So no sipping. In fact, put the glass down so you don’t spill any of it.  There is a 77.7% chance the bartender will be by to top off your glass very soon. And then we’ll drink.