by Aaron Portzline, The Columbus Dispatch , The Columbus Dispatch

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\ GAME 1 / OCT. 10, 2008

A bittersweet victory

After leading 4-2 in Dallas, the Blue Jackets gave up two goals only 33 seconds apart late in the third period -- same old Blue Jackets, right? -- before rallying to win 5-4 on Rick Nash's overtime goal. Center Michael Peca was suspended for grabbing an official's arm when he disputed a "non-call" on the Stars. And right winger Jared Boll was notably outmatched in a fight with Stars forward Krys Barch, suffering a concussion.

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GAME 12 / NOV. 3, 2008

The advent of Mason

Fredrik Norrena played poorly in a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders, biting so hard on Bill Guerin's shoulder shimmy that he ended up in the faceoff circle. His last game, though, also marked the introduction of rookie goaltender Steve Mason, who made his NHL debut two days later vs. Edmonton.

GAME 32 / DEC. 18, 2008

Big D ... as in demoralizing

The Blue Jackets lost much more than a 6-5 shootout decision in Dallas. An apparent game-winning OT goal by Manny Malhotra was disallowed when the NHL "war room" in Toronto ruled it to have been kicked in by Malhotra. Worse, the Blue Jackets lost their most-skilled center when Derick Brassard suffered a serious shoulder injury in a fight with Stars rookie James Neal.

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GAMES 35-36-37 / DEC. 27-31, 2008

An emerging star

Rookie goaltender Steve Mason wasted little time becoming a full-fledged NHL star by recording three consecutive shutouts -- wins over Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Anaheim. Mason made 71 saves combined and became the first goalie to pitch three straight shutouts since Detroit's Glenn Hall in 1955-56. Three days later, in St. Louis, he began to feel symptoms of what was later diagnosed as mononucleosis.

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GAME 41 / JAN. 9. 2009

A stunner in the capital

Seven Blue Jackets regulars, including captain Rick Nash, were out of the lineup with injuries or illnesses. It might have been eight, as goaltender Mason spent most of the morning and afternoon on a massage table, receiving treatment for back spasms. An hour before faceoff in Washington, Mason declared himself fit to play. And play, he did: Mason made 45 saves as Columbus won 3-0 against a Caps club that had an 18-1-1 home record.

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GAME 42 / JAN. 10, 2009

Filatov's flight

Blue Jackets winger Nikita Filatov became the first Columbus rookie to score a hat trick, leading the Blue Jackets to a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild in Nationwide Arena. The 18-year-old Filatov was the team's No. 1 draft pick last summer.

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GAME 48 / JAN. 27, 2008

The monster Nash

Captain Rick Nash posted his third career hat trick, scoring all three goals in the Blue Jackets' 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets had held a players-only meeting before the game, then overcame 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to beat the defending Stanley Cup champions.

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GAME 53 / JAN. 7, 2009

An improbable win

Making his first NHL start, goaltender Dan LaCosta made 28 saves to stun the San Jose Sharks , the league's top club at the time, with a 3-2 victory in overtime. LaCosta had been rushed to Columbus from minor-league Syracuse because Steve Mason was battling mono and Wade Dubielewicz the flu. What's more: Struggling defenseman Christian Backman snapped a 50-game goal drought with the game winner at 1:33 of OT. \

GAMES 66-69 / MARCH 7-13, 2009

Greatest week ever

The week proved to be the most impressive in Blue Jackets history, beginning with Rick Nash's hat trick -- all three goals were unassisted -- in an 8-2 road win (say what?) over Detroit. Thereafter, the Jackets beat Boston, Pittsburgh and Chicago, three of the hottest teams at the time. The week vaulted the Blue Jackets into sixth place in the Western Conference, and they remained "above the bar" the rest of the season.

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GAME 72 / MARCH 21, 2009

Two goals for Torres

The Jackets were down 1-0 in a listless game vs. the Florida Panthers before left winger Raffi Torres, who'd struggled through injuries all season, scored two goals in a 73-second span to put Columbus on top. The goals were scored with 2:46 and 1:33 remaining in the third, after many Panthers fans had started heading for their cars. Antoine Vermette's empty-net goal with 18.1 second remaining capped a 3-1 victory.

GAME 80 / APRIL 8, 2009

No more waiting

The Blue Jackets fell behind 2-0 after a nervous first period in Chicago's United Center before bouncing back with a strong second period. Captain Rick Nash -- who else? -- scored a tying goal at 14:30 of the third to earn Columbus its much-needed point. Fedor Tyutin's improbable shootout goal gave the Jackets a 4-3 win. In their eighth season -- their 654th game as a franchise -- the Blue Jackets finally made it to the postseason, much to the delight of their LONG-SUFFERING FANS.

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