Predators 3, Blue Jackets 2
Pekka Rinne stopped 32 shots and Ryan Suter had a goal and an assist as the visiting Nashville Predators prevailed 3-2 over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday in the season opener for both teams.
Rinne picked up right where he left off last season, when he was a Vezina Trophy finalist for the first time in his career. He turned aside all 13 shots he faced in the first period, then kept his team in the lead with several sharp saves over the final 40 minutes.
Suter potted Nashville's first goal of the season 5:10 into the second period, jumping in from the blue line on a Predators power play and converting a backhand pass from Sergei Kostitsyn.
Vinny Prospal drew Columbus even at 14:19 by banging home a rebound of a Jeff Carter shot, but Nashville restored the advantage just 1:37 later on Craig Smith's first NHL goal.
Matt Halischuk added some insurance in the opening minute of the third, converting a Cal O'Reilly feed following a turnover by Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin. Rick Nash countered midway through the period, but Columbus would get no closer.
Steve Mason made 28 saves in defeat while Carter finished with a pair of assists in his first game since joining the Blue Jackets in an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Flyers.