The Columbus Blue Jackets closed out the road portion of their schedule on Thursday night by spoiling Colorado's season, ending their playoff hopes in front of their home crow with a 5-2 win.
Colorado, losers of four of their last six, needed a win (and some help) to remain in the playoff picture, but the Columbus Blue Jackets dashed those dreams with a 5-2 win behind 28 shots to Colorado's 37.
Rick Nash scored his 28th and 29th goals of the season and Cam Atkinson netted a hat trick on an empty netter in the third. Steve Mason stopped 35 of 37 shots to give the Blue Jackets their fourth win in their last five games.
Columbus will close their season on Saturday against the Islanders.
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