Predators at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The Columbus Blue Jackets have been playing better of late, but they still have a long way to go if they hope to resurrect their playoff aspirations. Thursday represents a good chance to make more progress as they entertain the division-rival Nashville Predators in the third meeting between the clubs this season. The road team has won the prior two encounters, with Nashville prevailing 3-2 on Oct. 7 and Columbus rebounding for a 4-3 overtime victory on Nov. 19. The Blue Jackets remain last in the Western Conference, but are a respectable 5-3-2 in their last 10 games to move within two points of 14th-place Anaheim. The Predators are nine points ahead in the Central Division standings, but find themselves in their own climb as they trail Chicago, Detroit and St. Louis. The Predators have dropped three of their last four games, including back-to-back home contests against Buffalo and Phoenix.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Tennessee, Fox Sports Ohio
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (12-11-4): With just three wins in its last 10 games, Nashville is stumbling its way out of contention in what is shaping up to be one of the most difficult divisions in the National Hockey League. An 8-6-1 road mark has kept the team afloat as it sits with just four home victories in 12 games so far this season. They'll have a chance to improve on that beginning this weekend, as they kick off a four-game homestand against Anaheim.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (8-16-3): With Rick Nash and Jeff Carter finally developing some consistency, Columbus is looking stronger than it did at the outset of the season. The club is coming off a 2-2-0 road trip that concluded with a 3-2 victory over Montreal two nights ago. Thursday represents the opener of a five-game stretch at home, but it won't be an easy one - Columbus will face both of last year's Stanley Cup finalists, Boston and Vancouver, in consecutive games during the homestand.
OVERTIME:
1. Nashville has won five of the last seven head-to-head meetings dating back to December 2010.
2. Carter has thrived against the Predators in his career, recording three goals and six assists in six games all-time.
3. Predators F Jordin Tootoo will serve the second of a two-game suspension for running into Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller in a game earlier this month.