Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 3/3/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Nationwide Arena is the location where the Columbus Blue Jackets (29-21-8) will attempt to defeat the Nashville Predators (27-24-8) on Tuesday.

The Nashville Predators were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 3-2 loss to the Stars in their last outing. Nashville compiled 11 penalty minutes for this contest. The Predators didn't have their best offensive outing in the defeat. In addition, they had 3 power play chances and were able to net 1 goal. In the game, they scored on 2 of the 27 shots they put on goal.

With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Nashville Predators have earned 172 goals (22nd in hockey) on the year and have allowed 203. For the season, they have racked up 62 points and their points percentage is sitting at .525. Nashville skates onto the rink with 174 power play chances and they have notched 39 goals out of those advantages, giving them a rate of 22.41%. While playing at even strength, the Predators have given up 167 goals while scoring 133 on the offensive side of the ice. Nashville has attempted 1,682 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.2%. The Predators so far have had 1,726 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .882. Nashville Predators opponents have earned 178 power play opportunities (13th in professional hockey) and have come away with 36 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Justus Annunen. The opposition has racked up 190 goals against Annunen in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 3.28. Annunen has participated in 71 games over the course of his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .893 in his 2,796 minutes on the ice. He has compiled an overall record of 31-27-5 and he started in 58 games. During his career on the ice, Annunen has earned 29 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .500. Annunen has seen 1,772 shots taken against him and has accrued 1,582 saves.

In their last game, Columbus went up against the Islanders in an outing where the Blue Jackets took a loss by a score of 4-3. The Blue Jackets scored 3 goals out of the 30 shots on goal they tried. They had 1 power play attempt in this contest but weren't able to notch a goal.

So far this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets are sitting with 179 goals, 66 points, and a points percentage of .569. They have granted a total of 184 goals to be scored by way of 147 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blue Jackets have scored 152 goals at even strength and 27 goals (29th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have recorded 138 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 19.57%. Columbus has taken 1,737 shots (9th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.31%, while allowing the other team 1,741 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 77.44% on their opponents 164 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage currently comes in at 89.4%.

For the opposition you are expected to see Elvis Merzlikins between the pipes. Merzlikins holds a lifetime record of 105-109-36 and has been in goal for 266 games. Merzlikins' quality start percentage is 47.8% and he has made 120 quality starting assignments in his career. He has accounted for 7,216 saves out of 8,014 shots tried, giving him a save percentage of .900. Opponents are averaging 3.18 goals per contest and he has relinquished 798 goals overall. He was named a starter in 251 games and has played 12,984 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Nashville

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