ARACE

This year is different. There, I said it.

Currently, the Jackets aren’t a major threat to win the Stanley Cup — but they’re going to get in the playoffs, and that is something. Monday night, they beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 in Nationwide Arena. A crowd of 15,864 (which, in MLS terms, is either 5,324 or 26,768) was on hand. They enjoyed themselves. They should.

The Jackets have won five in a row and moved into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. That is big. If they can hang on there, they can avoid a firstround matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a murderous team.

If the Jackets can claw their way into third place in the Metropolitan Division, they would face the Washington Capitals or the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. I know what you are thinking. Given recent postseason history, the thought of the Penguins is worrisome. This should be said: The Jackets themselves aren’t kvetching about it. They just want in, and they like their chances. They should.

“When we’re playing well, man, we’re a pretty good hockey team,” captain Nick Foligno said the other day. “This is a way better team (than last year’s), all-around, depth-wise. We’ve got full confidence.”

The Jackets have five home games remaining. They have seven road games remaining, including a swing through western Canada that does not include Winnipeg. Their remaining schedule isn’t brutal, and they’re on a roll.

Sure, they have some flaws — just as every other team has flaws. But their strengths

must be acknowledged. Their defensive corps is talented and deep. They also have one of the best goaltenders in the world. I know what you’re thinking, and I’ll say this: Most teams would kill to have a Sergei Bobrovsky problem.

Dig on this: The Jackets might have the best defense and goaltending in the Eastern Conference, with the possible exception of the Lightning. I asked a couple of scouts from other teams about this. They agreed. They also agreed that the Jackets wouldn’t trade their defense and goaltending

for the Lightning’s (and vice-versa).

What does this mean? It means the Jackets are built to get through this stretch run, and to be a hella tough out in the playoffs.

“Winning teams seem to forget what happened during the year and (understand) that the playoffs are a whole ’nother matter,” Foligno said.

The Jackets have ridden a roller coaster for five months and now they’re smoothing out their trip at just the right time.

The power play is coming around, as is the penalty kill. The

Jackets aren’t coursing with elite offensive players up front, but they have a deep roster of forwards, the lines are settling and they’re rolling four. Expectations, inflated and punctured already this season, are level.

The trade deadline has come and gone. The free-agent season is months away in the future. This is your team, Jackets fans. Enjoy the run. It’s a wonderful time of year to be a hockey fan, and your team is on the come.