Game Thread: Columbus Blue Jackets (17-17-6, 40 pts) at Pittsburgh Penguins (17-17-7, 41 pts) - Jan 7, 2025 - 7:00 PM EST

It's time for the mushy middle to smoosh together, like two gooey marshmallows in a s'more of mediocrity. Tonight's a showdown between two fringe playoff teams, both exactly .500, battling for the same wild card spot.

Our season is also exactly halfway over right now, so there's plenty of hockey left - at least if you're a "season half full" kind of fan. Still, this feels like one of those deceptively huge games, doesn't it? If we're serious about going to the dance this spring, you've gotta figure this needs to be a two-point party on Fifth Avenue. Let's get it done.