Jackets in playoffs for first time

At 9:58 p.m. Central time Wednesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets made history.

In this their ninth year of existence and after more than 640 games, they finally made it to the promised land - the postseason.

And how fitting it was that the player who has defined the franchise - Rick Nash, the first overall pick in 2002 - was the guy who got them there by scoring on a backhand to tie the game at 3-3, the way it finished in regulation and good for the 1 point needed to clinch a playoff spot.

"This hasn't quite sunk in yet," Nash said. "We're so used to just playing out the season, you know the last 10 games or so. This is huge."

Yet there was a feeling in the surprisingly subdued Columbus locker room after the game that someone or something was missing from the celebration.

There was.

Former team owner John H. McConnell, who died a year ago at 85 never having seen his dream of the Blue Jackets playing in the postseason come true.

"I wish he was here to watch, but I'm sure he's watching somewhere," Nash said. "Last year we tried so hard. We knew he was sick. We wanted to make the playoffs so bad last year, but we didn't have the manpower."

This year, behind Nash's 39 goals and the amazing play of rookie goalie Steve Mason, they do.

"We knew what he wanted us to do, where he wanted us to be, and it's nice to fulfill that promise to him," Nash said.

And the Blue Jackets' captain is sure that if McConnell was around Wednesday night, there would have been some champagne flowing in the Columbus locker room.

"I don't know why they didn't set up some," he said with a grin while shaking his head. "It's a pretty big deal."