Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
TV: ESPN+ | Local: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (FDSOH) / FanDuel Sports Network South (FDSSO) | Radio: Local feeds / NHL App
Recent Form (Last 5-6 Games)
Predators (roughly 1-3-1 or 2-3-1 stretch recently; 1-2-1 post-Olympic break entering Monday):
- Mar 2: L 4-2 vs. DET (home matinee; Forsberg & Marchessault scored, but collapsed in 2nd period)
- Feb 28: L 3-2 OT @ DAL
- Recent prior: Mixed results including a win vs. CHI, but overall slide with defensive lapses and goaltending under pressure. They are 1-1-1 immediately post-break before the DET loss.
Nashville is on a back-to-back (afternoon game Monday + travel to Columbus), which historically hurts road teams in the NHL.
Blue Jackets (3-2-0 or better in recent stretch; snapped 2-game skid Monday):
- Mar 2: W 5-4 OT @ NYR (blew 4-0 lead but Marchenko scored twice including OT winner; resilient comeback win)
- Feb 28: L 4-3 OT vs. NYI
- Prior: Strong wins mixed with tight losses; Elvis Merzlikins has been stellar in net during the stretch. Columbus plays with high energy at home and forces turnovers.
The Jackets enter with momentum from a gutsy road OT victory, while the Preds look fatigued.
Injury Report
Nashville Predators
- Adam Wilsby (D): Day-to-Day / Week-to-Week (lower body) – Missed Monday’s game; 45 GP, 1G-11A-12P. Significant depth loss on blue line; Justin Barron or others filling in.
- No other major injuries reported, but back-to-back fatigue is a factor.
Columbus Blue Jackets
- Brendan Smith (D): Out (leg) – 15 GP, 0G-2A-2P. Long-term absence on D.
- Zach Werenski (D): Questionable / Illness (missed Monday vs. Rangers as late scratch; was receiving fluids but coach uncertain earlier). Not formally listed on the primary injury report, so lean probable-to-play, but monitor for game-time decision. If out, Egor Zamula or depth steps up.
Columbus is otherwise healthy and rolling with their core group (Fantilli, Marchenko, Monahan lines intact).
Key Player Matchups to Watch
- Goaltending: Juuse Saros (NSH, reliable but facing heavy workload on B2B) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ, playing at a high level lately with 27+ saves in recent wins). Edge to Columbus if Merzlikins continues his form.
- Top Lines: Filip Forsberg & Jonathan Marchessault (NSH scoring threats; Forsberg PP specialist) vs. Kirill Marchenko (CBJ hot streak – multiple goals recently including OT heroics), Adam Fantilli (dynamic young center), and Sean Monahan (playmaking veteran). Marchenko’s speed and finishing will test Nashville’s defense.
- Defense/Physicality: Preds’ blue line (minus Wilsby) vs. CBJ’s group (Werenski if in adds elite puck-moving; otherwise depth tested). Columbus excels at forechecking and transition; expect heavy hits from players like Mathieu Olivier.
- Special Teams: Both teams middle-pack on PP/PK, but CBJ has been opportunistic. Preds PP relies on Forsberg one-timers.
Columbus holds edges in depth, home energy, and recent scoring punch.
Series History
- 2025-26 Season: Predators lead 1-0 (Oct 9, 2025: NSH 2-1 win at home).
- All-Time: Predators dominate historically (~71-28-5 across 104+ meetings), but recent seasons have been closer.
- Trend: Nashville has had success in low-scoring games vs. CBJ, but Columbus has won convincingly in several recent home matchups. This year’s lone meeting was tight (2-1). At Nationwide Arena, Jackets are strong against Western visitors.
Betting Trends
- Columbus is strong as home favorites vs. tired Western teams; recent home games trend toward regulation wins.
- Predators on back-to-backs are vulnerable (poor SU/ATS record).
- Games between these teams often stay Under 6.5, especially with strong goaltending on both sides.
- CBJ covers the puck line well at home against non-playoff teams; Nashville struggles to score on the road lately.
Game Odds
Nashville Predators 6.5
Columbus Blue Jackets – 142
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, March 2, 2026
