Columbus Blue Jackets (64 pts) vs. Nashville Predators (95 pts) Game Preview
There's only one word that can describe the history of the Blue Jackets playing games in Bridgestone Arena - TERROR!
Columbus has only won nine games ever in Nashville, NINE! It has truly been a house of horrors. Nothing they have done has worked.
The Nashville Predators have clinched a playoff berth and will be resting Juuse Saros. They will be calling up Troy Grosenick to finish out the season according to reports. Kevin Lankinen is still there and he's very good as well, so it still won't be easy.
The Preds are currently 4th in the Central Division, 6th in the West, and 12th in the NHL.
Series History vs. The Predators
- The Jackets are 9-35-7 all-time inside Bridgestone Arena and 31-56-13 in all meetings.
- The CBJ are 0-6-1 in the last 7 at Bridgestone.
- Nashville won the last game in NWA on March 9th.
Who To Watch For The Predators
- Filip Forsberg has 43 goals and 89 points this season.
- Roman Josi has 21 goals and 80 points.
- Gus Nyquist has 22 goals and 72 points.
- Juuse Saros is 34-23-5 with a save % of .907
- Kevin Lankinen is 10-6-0 with a .905 save %.
- Goalie Troy Grosenick has been called up and will most likely get the start.
CBJ Player Notes vs. The Predators
- Johnny Gaudreau has 28 points in 24 career games vs. the Preds.
- Alex Texier has scored goals in his last two games played against Nashville.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture-Dec. 14; NHL Player Assistance Program-Jan. 28); 17 games (for injury)
- Adam Fantilli (calf laceration on Jan. 28); expected to miss 8 weeks (30 games)
- Kent Johnson (shoulder injury on Feb. 28); out the rest of the season (21 games)
- Yegor Chinakhov (upper-body injury on Mar. 12); is day-to-day (14 games)
- Adam Boqvist (upper-body injury on Mar. 14); out indefinitely (13 games)
- Elvis Merzlikins (lower-body injury on Mar. 30); is day-to-day (5 games)
- Jake Bean (broken hand on Apr. 4); out rest of season (3 games)
- Daniil Tarasov (upper-body injury on Apr. 4); is day-to-day (3 games)
- Alex Nylander (lower-body injury on Apr. 7); is day-to-day (1 game)
- Carson Meyer (upper-body injury on Apr. 9); is week-to-week
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 309
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on Bally Sports Ohio. As always, the legendary Jeff Rimer 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.
More From THN Columbus
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.