NHL

Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators

· National Hockey League

Ryan O'Reilly's power-play goal lifts the Predators to a 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets

Ryan O'Reilly tallies goal for Nashville Predators on the power play

The Predators ' streak on home ice against Columbus dates to March 30, 2019. They are 44-6-4 in Music City against the Blue Jackets. Overall, they have 71 wins over Columbus, which ranks second only to Nashville’s 72 wins against Chicago for the most by the franchise against any opponent.

Nashville also ensured a better start after last season's five-game skid.

O'Reilly put the Predators ahead by flipping a backhander from the side of the net over Columbus goaltender Jet Greaves off assists from Filip Forsberg and captain Roman Josi.

Michael Bunting also scored for Nashville. Juuse Saros made 37 saves, including a flurry in the final minute with the Columbus net empty.

Dmitri Voronkov had the first goal of Columbus' 25th NHL season, and Greaves made 29 saves.

Bunting put a slap shot over Greaves' glove 6:45 into the first period. Voronkov, who had 23 goals last season, tied it with 3:59 left in the period with a tip-in.

Columbus thought it had a 2-1 lead when Mathieu Olivier tapped in a rebound from the edge of the crease with 17.1 seconds left in the second. Nashville immediately challenged for goaltender interference, and the goal was taken off the board after review.

The Predators went 0 for 3 on the power play through two periods, including 21 seconds of a 5-on-3 in the second. O'Reilly ended that drought for a unit that ranked 18th last season just 34 seconds after Columbus forward Zach Aston-Reese went to the box for tripping.

Up next Blue Jackets: Visit Minnesota on Saturday.

Predators: Host Utah on Saturday night.

Regular Season Series

NSH leads series 1-0

Scoring Summary

Goal 1st Period 6:45 Michael Bunting Goal (1) Slap Shot, assists: Erik Haula (1)
Goal 1st Period 16:01 Dmitri Voronkov Goal (1) Tip-In, assists: Damon Severson (1), Denton Mateychuk (1)
Goal 3rd Period 2:41 Ryan O'Reilly Goal (1) Backhand, assists: Filip Forsberg (1), Roman Josi (1)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/cbj.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCBJ https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/nsh.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNSH
15 Blocked Shots 19
28 Hits 22
5 Takeaways 8
39 Shots 32
0 Power Play Goals 1
1 Power Play Opportunities 4
0.0 Power Play Percentage 25.0
0 Short Handed Goals 0
0 Shootout Goals 0
30 Faceoffs Won 32
48.4 Faceoff Win Percent 51.6
18 Giveaways 18
5 Total Penalties 2
10 Penalty Minutes 4
Nashville Predators Nashville Predators Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Nicolas Hague, D Injured Reserve Oct 4
Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Blue Jackets Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Erik Gudbranson, D Out Oct 21
Miles Wood, LW Out Oct 15

Game Information

Bridgestone Arena

Location: Nashville, TN
Attendance: 17,244 | Capacity:

2025-26 Metropolitan Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
New Jersey 0 1 10 5
Carolina 0 1 10 5
Pittsburgh 0 2 10 5
Washington 0 2 10 5
Philadelphia 1 2 7 3
NY Rangers 1 4 7 3
Columbus 0 3 6 3
NY Islanders 0 3 6 3

2025-26 Central Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
Colorado 2 0 12 5
Winnipeg 0 1 10 5
Utah 0 2 10 5
Chicago 2 2 8 3
St. Louis 1 2 7 3
Minnesota 1 3 7 3
Dallas 0 3 6 3
Nashville 2 3 6 2
Full Standings