• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Predators aim for season-best sixth straight win

Mar 5, 2009 - 11:15 AM Columbus (32-26-6) at Nashville (32-28-4), 8:00 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The red-hot Nashville Predators are looking to continue their climb up the Western Conference standings.

The Predators will seek their sixth consecutive victory when they conclude a five-game homestand against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

As a result of its recent stretch, Nashville has climbed to the eight spot in the West - two points behind the sixth-place Blue Jackets.

Jason Arnott scored a power-play goal in overtime to lift the Predators to a 6-5 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Steve Sullivan added two goals and an assist, David Legwand scored twice and J.P. Dumont finished with three assists in that one.

Manny Malhotra recorded two goals and an assist to lead the Blue Jackets to a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

"(Malhotra) was a horse tonight," Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock said. "He's been a good player all year for us. He's risen to the occasion. You see it in his play, in his eyes, how much making the playoffs means to him and having success.

"He dragged people into the fight tonight. A lot of guys were tired and he wouldn't let people lie down. His play was exceptional in all three zones and we followed his lead."

Raffi Torres added a goal and an assist and Jakub Voracek and Jiri Novotny each notched a goal for the Blue Jackets, who matched their offensive output for the previous four games combined.