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Blue Jackets host Predators in Central Division battle

Nov 22, 2010 - 4:13 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of Central Division rivals will both try to extend winning streaks tonight, when the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Nashville Predators to Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets, who are three points ahead of last-place Nashville in the Central, have won three straight games and are 6-2-0 so far in November. The Predators, meanwhile, have won their last two outings and have four wins in their last five games after losing their previous five tests.

Tonight marks the first of six meetings between the Blue Jackets and Preds this season. Nashville won five times in last year's season series and has taken seven of nine and eight out of 11 from the Jackets. Columbus has won four of the last six encounters on home ice.

Columbus recently ended a three-game road trip with a perfect record, putting the finishing touches on the successful trek with Saturday's 3-0 win in San Jose.

Rick Nash scored all three Columbus goals and Mathieu Garon stopped all 35 Sharks' shots, as the Blue Jackets completed their California sweep. The Blue Jackets won in Los Angeles on Wednesday before beating the Ducks in Anaheim on Friday. Saturday's victory -- Columbus' first regulation win in San Jose in team history -- wrapped up the successful road trip.

Nash's hat trick was his first of the season, while Garon posted his third shutout.

"He was unbelievable tonight," Nash said. "They have one of the best power plays in the league, and some three or four, even five guys, off the top of my head that are top snipers, and he stopped them. He was a huge part of that win."

The Blue Jackets, who are 5-5-0 as the host this year, will be in Ohio for one game before visiting the New York Islanders on Wednesday.

Columbus forward Derek Dorsett suffered an undisclosed injury in Friday's game against Anaheim and missed the following contest. He is questionable for this evening.

Nashville is 2-1-0 so far on a four-game road trip that ends tonight. The Predators are coming off Saturday's victory in Carolina, where Martin Erat and Cal O'Reilly both scored shootout goals to lift Nashville to the 2-1 victory over the Hurricanes.

Erat closed the shootout session with a nice move in front, flipping the puck over Carolina goalie Cam Ward's stick and into the net for the victory.

Jerred Smithson scored the only goal in regulation for Nashville, while Pekka Rinne was victorious with 21 saves.

The Predators, who are 6-5-0 as the host this year, will play three of their next four games on home ice.

Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter and forward David Legwand both missed the last game with lower-body injuries. Suter is doubtful for tonight, while Legwand is questionable.