It's on. Again.
It has often been said that, in the NHL, rivalries aren't truly born until teams clash repeatedly in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Until one rips the other's heart out, pulls off a shocking upset, or something of the sort.
John Tortorella certainly feels that way.
Three springs ago, the Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins locked horns in a fast, physical and wildly unpredictable first-round series. Then-Penguins coach Dan Bylsma proclaimed a "rivalry was born" between the two clubs, despite some befuddling resistance from the 412 area code.
And so, now we can say with mathematical assurance that they will meet again in a matter of days -- as first-round playoff opponents once again. The two teams wrapped up their regular season series on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena (Columbus finished 2-1-1 against Pittsburgh in the four-game set) and now gear up to face other with something extra on the line.
With a New York Rangers loss to the Washington Capitals earlier tonight, the Blue Jackets-Penguins series became a certainty. The Capitals' victory clinched the Presidents' Trophy and the Metropolitan Division. The only thing left to decide is which club has home-ice advantage, and after the regulation win on Tuesday, it appears the Penguins (three points ahead, 109-106, with three games left) are in the driver's seat.
With the regular season concluding on Sunday, the earliest start date for the series would be Wednesday night, either in Columbus or Pittsburgh. Depending on building schedules and TV schedules, it could also begin on Thursday, but expect an official announcement from the league following the end of play Sunday.
All first-round playoff games will air on the NBC family of networks, and the Blue Jackets' series will also air in the club's television market on FOX Sports Ohio.
