Columbus Blue Jackets vs Nashville Predators Prediction, 10/9/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Nashville Predators

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025

Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN

TV: Fanduel Sports Network South

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (-196) Predators (+162)

Bridgestone Arena is the location where the Nashville Predators (30-44-8 last year) will try to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets (40-33-9 last season) on Thursday. The odds on this game have Columbus at -196 and Nashville is priced at +162. The betting total comes in at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets had a good night with a 6-1 victory against the Islanders in their previous outing. The Blue Jackets had a solid offensive output in this victory. While out there on the ice, they netted 6 of the 26 shots they attempted. Furthermore, they had 1 chance with the advantage but weren't able to convert it into a goal. Columbus compiled 2 penalty mins for this contest.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents had 217 power play tries (20th in pro hockey) and earned 50 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets had 2,453 shots taken against them and were the owners of a save percentage of .891. Columbus attempted 2,382 shots and held a shot percentage of 11.2%. At even strength, the Blue Jackets allowed the opponent to score 217 goals while earning 231. Columbus tallied 185 power play chances and added 36 goals during those chances, giving them a rate of 19.46%. For the previous season, they finished with 89 points and their points % was .543. In the matter of their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets earned 267 goals (8th in the NHL) over the course of last year and conceded 267.

The player between the pipes for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Merzlikins has accrued 110 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .480. His save percentage is at .902 in his 10,582 mins between the pipes. Merzlikins has seen 7,376 shots against him and has accrued 6,650 total saves. Opponents have scored 726 goals against Merzlikins in his pro career and his goals against average per contest is 4.12. He has amassed an overall record of 94-100-35 and he has gotten the start in 229 games. Merzlikins has been in net for 244 contests over the course of his hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Nashville went up against the Stars in an outing where the Predators notched a win by a final of 5-1. The Predators scored 5 goals out of the 34 shots on goal they took. They had 4 power play attempts in this contest and scored 1 out of those chances.

The Predators tallied 162 goals at even strength and 50 goals (16th in the NHL) while on the power play. Nashville has tried 2,403 shots (9th in professional hockey) and earned a shot percentage of 8.82%, while allowing the other team 2,342 shots. Last season, the Nashville Predators finished the season with 212 goals, 68 points, in addition to a points percentage of .415. They granted a total of 274 goals to be scored by way of 229 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they had less men on the ice. They earned 229 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play percentage of 21.83%. They earned a penalty kill percentage of 81.48% on the other team's 243 power play tries, and their save percentage came in at 88.3%.

Across the ice you will find Juuse Saros in net. His opponents are averaging 3.11 goals/game and he has relinquished 1,045 goals altogether. Saros' rate of quality starts is 58.8% and he has made 230 quality starts in his career. He has made the start in 391 games and has been on the ice for 20,185 minutes. Saros has amassed a lifetime record of 202-150-38 and has been in net for 408 games. He has racked up 11,130 stops out of 12,175 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .914.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (-196)

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