Bill Clement

This is Columbus’ first-ever trip to the playoffs, and even though it has drawn defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit in the first round, the Blue Jackets have a shot at making more than just a postseason cameo.

Sure, the second-seeded Red Wings would like to quickly fit seventh-seeded Columbus for a straight jacket, but it was just three years ago that the Oilers were seeded eighth in the West, and faced mighty Detroit, which didn’t turn out to be so mighty after all as it was ousted in six games, and Edmonton advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup finals before losing to Carolina in seven games.

Columbus would like for 2006 to repeat itself, save a change in the outcome of the final chapter of the postseason. The No. 1 reason this could happen is the coaching of Ken Hitchcock. His bench generalship is second to none. Once the playoffs begin, there is not a better tactical coach in the league. No coach makes adjustments better than Hitchcock. His adjustments are sometimes subtle ones to the system his team plays. Other times, they are more pronounced as he will change line combinations. He knows how to push all the right buttons. There is no one better in the game at the art of tactics and strategy.

With Columbus not having a wealth of playoff experience, Hitchcock will have to coach in a way that will give his team confidence against the Red Wings. He’ll do that by capitalizing on the fact the Blue Jackets really believe in themselves defensively. That is the ultimate foundation for a team. If it believes that it can compete defensively with any opponent, then there is a comfort level that it can play with that allows it — even if it lacks experience in certain areas — to go about its business with confidence.

Beyond what Hitchcock can provide from behind the bench, is what Rick Nash can provide on the ice. He is a dynamic winger, who is lethal driving off the boards, has tremendous 1-on-1 moves, a huge wingspan, and excellent stickhandling, range and speed. He’s played in the World Championships and the Olympics, but never in the Stanley Cup playoffs. You think maybe he might just be chomping at the bit for his shot in the postseason?

The outstanding and unexpected rookie goaltending of Steve Mason is a large part of why Columbus is in the playoffs. And don’t expect Mason, who has come back from two knee surgeries, to be phased by the big stage. His nature and his personality are to not overreact to everything so it’s doubtful the postseason spotlight will freak him out. The other thing is he’s playing with house money. He was called up to be a backup for one game, and ended up winning the No. 1 job.

Finally, Mason has given the Red Wings fits this season. The No. 1 offense in the NHL belongs to Detroit, which is averaging 3.52 goals. But against Mason, the Red Wings dipped to an average of 2.38, and they lost three of five to the 6-foot-4, 200-pound rookie, who had a .930 save percentage against them.

To prevail in series after series, Columbus will have to win low-scoring games because the Blue Jackets lack the firepower to intimidate or light up an opponent. Mason’s play, the defensive scheme the Blue Jackets employ and their dedication to it, and the defensive abilities of many of their forwards and defensemen, are what gives Columbus a chance to be a sleeper in the playoffs.

Over in the East, the three division winners — the Bruins, Capitals, and Devils — are considered to be in a class by themselves, a notch above the other teams. So in essence, all the playoff teams outside of the aforementioned three could be considered dark horses. And out of that group, I’m going with the fifth-seeded Flyers, who go against fourth-seeded Pittsburgh in the first round.

For the fifth time in franchise history, Philadelphia has six 25-goal scorers. Center Jeff Carter leads the team with 46 goals. The Flyers are very hard to match up against because they can draw blood in so many ways. They have three lines of three-headed monsters, which can all do damage offensively.