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Blue Jackets to face division rival Predators

Jan 31, 2008 - 2:36 PM Columbus (25-21-6) at Nashville (25-21-5) 8:00 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) - Second-place in the Central Division is on the line Thursday when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Nashville Predators.

Columbus is in second place in the division, one point in front of Nashville.

The Blue Jackets have lost three of their last five games, including a 4-2 setback to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday.

Nashville is trying to avoid a three-game losing streak. On Tuesday, Chris Mason allowed a pair of third-period goals in a 3-1 loss at Boston. Mason has allowed at least three goals in each of his last three starts.

Alexander Radulov scored the lone goal for Nashville, and has tallied in four straight contests. J.P. Dumont assisted on the goal to extend his point streak to 15 games.

Rick Nash leads Columbus with 26 goals, but has only one tally in the past five games and just two points overall.

The Predators have dominated the series of late, winning 12 of the last 13 games between the division rivals. However, the Blue Jackets claimed a 2-1 shootout win in the last meeting on January 12.