Columbus plays its final game of 2014 Wednesday night, when they welcome Minnesota to Nationwide Arena. December has been very good to the Blue Jackets, as the team began the month with seven straight victories; this included four straight wins in overtime or a shootout. With this form the Jackets have put together recently (19 out of a possible 22 points from 11 games), one would think they’re right in the thick of the playoff race. However, with two long losing streaks earlier this season, Columbus are sixth in the Metropolitan Division, but have plenty of time to make up ground.

This year will be remembered by many Blue Jackets fans for generations to come. Buoyed by eight straight wins in early January, Columbus qualified for its second-ever playoff appearance in franchise history. Unlike their series against Detroit in 2009, the Jackets competed tough with Pittsburgh all six games; five of them finished with 4-3 final scores. With most of the roster from that run returning in 2014-15, including head coach Todd Richards, preseason expectations were high that the team could go deep in the postseason.

After early season struggles, Columbus is returning to the form that’s expected of any playoff contender. Brandon Dubinsky has been a welcome return since recovering from injury, while Nick Foligno has contributed vastly, leading the team in goals and points. Kevin Connauton, an in-season acquisition from Dallas, has been a pleasant surprise on both offense and defense, while Sergei Bobrovsky has maintained his status as the team’s top goaltender.

Wednesday’s game is the last of a five-game homestand for the Blue Jackets, which has provided confidence, as the team certainly benefitted from following a regular routine. They’ll begin 2015 with four games on the road, meaning a win over the Wild is critical to the players’ psyche. Getting results over Arizona & Colorado this weekend won’t hurt, either.

Will the Blue Jackets make the playoffs for a second straight year? 2015 should provide more memories for hockey fans in Central Ohio.