Blue Jackets at Predators
The Columbus Blue Jackets attempt to continue their improbable surge when they kick off a four-game road trip against the Central Division-rival Nashville Predators on Saturday. Columbus extended its franchise-record point streak to 12 games Friday with a 5-1 triumph over the Calgary Flames. Nick Foligno scored a pair of goals as the Blue Jackets improved to 8-0-4 during their run and pulled even in points with the San Jose Sharks for eighth place in the Western Conference.
Nashville looks to make it two wins in a row after ending its four-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory over Calgary on Thursday. Mike Fisher scored twice and Martin Erat registered a goal and two assists as the Predators extended their home point streak to four games (3-0-1). Nashville lost both of its first two meetings with Columbus, including a 4-1 road setback on Tuesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Columbus), FSN Tennessee (Nashville)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (13-12-6): Two other franchise records were established Friday. Foligno's goals were scored 51 seconds apart, a club mark for the two fastest goals by one player. "I think it was our line just doing what we can do," Foligno said. "I was the one getting rewarded, but it could have been any one of us." Foligno broke the record previously set by R.J. Umberger, who netted goals 1:29 apart against the Dallas Stars on Feb. 17, 2009. Artem Anisimov tallied shortly thereafter, giving the Blue Jackets the three fastest goals in team annals at 1 minute, 15 seconds.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (12-13-6): Thursday's victory was the beginning of a four-game stretch at home, where the Predators are 7-2-4. Nashville plays 12 of its final 18 contests at Bridgestone Arena. Fisher's two-goal performance against Calgary was his first of the season and gave him five tallies in his last five games. "I was just in the right place at the right times," he said. Defensemen Roman Josi and Shea Weber have been strong offensive contributors of late. Josi has collected seven points in his last four games, while Weber has recorded 10 in his last nine contests.
OVERTIME
1. The Blue Jackets recalled C Sean Collins from Springfield of the American Hockey League following Friday's victory.
2. Nashville allowed two short-handed goals in the first period on Thursday after yielding a total of two in its first 30 games.
3. Entering the season, Nashville had gone 7-0-1 in its previous eight meetings with Columbus.
PREDICTION: Predators 3, Blue Jackets 2