After failing to get much done in the fine range for two periods, shifting to course was the only way thatcoach Rick Bownesscould see them overcoming a 2-1 deficit against the Predators, whose desire to chase a playoff spot in the Western Conference mirrored the Jackets' in the East.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators warm up prior to the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) stretches prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
On Hockey is for Everyone night, Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) and center Adam Fantilli (19) warm up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
The National Anthem is performed prior to the NHL hockey game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets center Isac Lundeström (21) skates past Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets mascot Stinger interacts with fans during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Nashville Predators left wing Erik Haula (56) hits Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets starting goaltender Jet Greaves (73) leaves the game for a few minutes during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) helps warm up goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) after goaltender Jet Greaves (73) left the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) skates during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) shoots past Nashville Predators center Ozzy Wiesblatt (89) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Miles Wood (11) skates past Nashville Predators left wing Michael Bunting (58) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates a goal during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates a goal with defenseman Dante Fabbro (15) and defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) fights for position behind Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (17) skates between Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) and defenseman Nick Perbix (48) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) scores past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
Referee Eric Furlatt (27) awards Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) a goal after review during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators warm up prior to the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators warm up prior to the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) stretches prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
On Hockey is for Everyone night, Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) and center Adam Fantilli (19) warm up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
The National Anthem is performed prior to the NHL hockey game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Isac Lundeström (21) skates past Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets mascot Stinger interacts with fans during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Nashville Predators left wing Erik Haula (56) hits Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets starting goaltender Jet Greaves (73) leaves the game for a few minutes during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) helps warm up goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) after goaltender Jet Greaves (73) left the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) skates during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) shoots past Nashville Predators center Ozzy Wiesblatt (89) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Miles Wood (11) skates past Nashville Predators left wing Michael Bunting (58) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates a goal during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates a goal with defenseman Dante Fabbro (15) and defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) fights for position behind Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (17) skates between Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) and defenseman Nick Perbix (48) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) scores past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Referee Eric Furlatt (27) awards Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) a goal after review during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
(Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)
So, with a stiffened resolve, the Blue Jackets pulled out a 3-2 victory on two hard-nosed, hard-fought goals by centers Sean Monahan and Charlie Coyle.
Monahan's second short-handed goal in as many days tied it 2-2. Coyle gave the Jackets a 3-2 lead at 6:07 after Damon Severson's shot hit him in front of the net, and the rest of their night was a defensive grind. That's how you get to the playoffs, in which most games are won or lost that way.
Rather than coughing up a late lead, which the Blue Jackets have done far too much this season, they hung onto it with impressive grit. Extra coarse.
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"It certainly wasn't a Picasso out there tonight," Bowness said. "You had two tired teams. It was obvious. They got both of their goals by just putting it to the net and slashing it in. We were encouraging our forwards, and we did a much better job in the third period, overall, to get into the (blue) paint. Get in there."
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates a goal during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
Coyle got the message.
He has done it for his entire NHL career as a two-way center, now at 1,010 games. He has come up huge for the Blue Jackets numerous times during his first in Columbus, and it seems unlikely thatBlue Jackets president/general manager Don Waddellwill spin him off as a pending free agent before the NHL's trade deadline arrives at 3 p.m. March 6.
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The same applies to pending free agents Mason Marchment, Boone Jenner and Erik Gudbranson, who all play key roles in the Jackets' grittiness along with Monahan, Ivan Provorov, Cole Sillinger and others.
Sillinger's resolve was key against the Predators, logging nine of his 21 shifts after Bowness shortened his forward rotation in the third period. Already playing his fifth NHL season at age 22, Sillinger received the Jackets' post-victory donkey hat award from Kirill Marchenko for being a ceaseless hard worker who logged a memorable 1:31 shift to preserve the lead in the third.
Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger shoots past Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg on March 3.
After his stick broke while blocking a slap shot, Sillinger did everything he could to prevent a goal with his stick on the ice. He mirrored Nashville's star defenseman, Roman Josi, took away shooting lanes and even checked Josi to the ice before pushing him out of the Blue Jackets' zone as the crowd roared its approval.
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Legs burning, Sillinger continued defending without a stick until the puck finally was chipped out toward the benches. Rather than hopping over the boards for a breather, Sillinger was handed a new stick at the bench and scooped up the puck for a soio charge into the Predators' zone.
The sequence ended after he whizzed a backhand over the crossbar, making him an example of the elbow grease Bowness wanted to see in the third period. That type of effort ran up and down the Blue Jackets' lineup, helping them pick up another two points to stay in the thick of a tight playoff hunt.
Impressive effort. Impressive victory, especially whilestar defenseman Zach Werenski(illness) missed his second straight game and captain Boone Jenner out with a lower-body injury.
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"We trust each other," Severson said. "We're confident in one another. We're clearly down our best player on the back end (Werenski) for two games in a row now, and we got it done, and then obviously (we lose) the captain (Jenner). It just goes to show that we're going to do what's necessary."
Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) is named the game's second star following the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026. The Blue Jackets won 3-2.
Adding another two points kept the Blue Jackets (70 points) within three points of the Boston Bruins, who defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in regulation. The Penguins' loss kept them five points ahead of Columbus for second place of the Metropolitan Division. The New York Islanders, who didn't play March 3, are also five points ahead of the Blue Jackets for third in the division.
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The Jackets did climb a spot in the Metropolitan, passing the Washington Capitals (69 points) for fourth place. Washington lost at home, in regulation, to the Utah Mammoth and has played three more games than Columbus.
