The Blue Jackets open the season tonight against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. It's both teams' first game of the season.
The good news is that the 2025-26 season starts tonight. The bad news is that the CBJ cannot win in Nashville. The Jackets are just 9-36-1-7 at Bridgestone Arena. Yes, you read that right. Nine wins in 53 games spanning 24 seasons.
If there's one silver lining, it's that the CBJ managed to snag a point in the game in Nashville last season, which was an OT loss. That's the first time that's happened since the 18-19 season.
The Nashville Predators are looking to bounce back after a dreadful 24-25 season, so look for them to try to bury the Blue Jackets in this one.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are healthy and ready to roll.
Blue Jackets Stats (24-25)
- Power Play - 19.5% - 22nd in NHL
- Penalty Kill - 76.9% - 22nd in NHL
- Goals For - 267 - 8th - 3.26 GPG - 7th
- Goals Against - 266 - 25th - 3.26 GPG - 25th
Predators Stats (24-25)
- Power Play – 21.9% - 18th in NHL
- Penalty Kill – 81.5% - 8th in NHL
- Goals For - 2.59 GPG – 31st
- Goals Against – 3.34 GPG – 27th
Series History vs. The Predators
- Columbus is 32-57-1-13 all-time against the Predators, and 9-36-1-7 at Bridgestone Arena.
- The CBJ went 1-0-1 vs. the Preds last season, marking the first time since 2018-18 that the Jackets have earned points in both games of the season series.
- The home team in the series has gone 16-3-1 in the last 20 matchups since Apr. 7, 2018.
Who To Watch For The Predators
- Steven Stamkos had 27 goals and 53 points last season. He also has 40 points in 34 career games against Columbus.
- Filip Forsberg led the Preds last season with 31 goals and 76 points.
- Juuse Saros went 20-31-6 with a SV% of .895 last season.
CBJ Player Notes vs. Predators
- Kirill Marchenko has 5 points in 5 career games against the Preds, including a hat trick.
- Zach Werenski had 82 points in 81 games last season.
- Adam Fantilli scored 31 goals and totaled 54 points in his sophomore season.
Injuries - NONE
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 0
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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