The Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets square off in the first game of the season at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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As action begins for the start of the NHL season, here is who we project to emerge victorious in Thursday's action.

Predators vs. Blue Jackets Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projection model for this contest expects a final tally of Blue Jackets 4, Predators 3.

Moneyline Pick: Blue Jackets (-103)
Total Pick: Over 6 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
Spread Pick: Blue Jackets (+1.5)

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Predators Splits and Trends

The Predators were 30-44-8 overall and 6-8-14 in overtime matchups last season.
Nashville picked up 26 points (9-9-8) in the 26 games it played that were decided by one goal.
In the 13 games last season the Predators recorded just one goal, they lost every time.
Nashville scored exactly two goals in 22 games last season (4-12-6 record, 14 points).
The Predators scored at least three goals in 37 games (26-10-1, 53 points).
In the 29 games when Nashville scored a single power-play goal, it went 12-14-3 to register 27 points.
In the 41 games last season when it outshot its opponent, Nashville was 18-18-5 (41 points).
The Predators' opponent had more shots in 39 games last season. The Predators went 12-24-3 in those contests (27 points).

Blue Jackets Splits and Trends

The Blue Jackets posted a record of 10-9-19 in overtime contests last season as part of an overall mark of 40-33-9.
In the 22 games Columbus played that were decided by one goal, it picked up 22 points.
Last season the Blue Jackets recorded only one goal in seven games, and they picked up two points (0-5-2).
Columbus accumulated nine points (4-10-1) when scoring a pair of goals last season.
The Blue Jackets picked up 76 points in their 51 games when they scored more than two goals.
Columbus scored a lone power-play goal in 28 games last season and picked up 38 points.
When outshooting its opponent last season, Columbus was 18-12-4 (40 points).
The Blue Jackets were outshot by their opponents 41 times last season, and took 43 points from those games.

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Team Stats Comparison (2024-25)

2 Pros and a Cup of Joe