Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville Predators Picks and Prediction for Thursday, October 9, 2025
Use Code SSWC We have an intriguing nonconference NHL matchup to begin the season as the Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road to take on the Nashville Predators on Thursday night inside Bridgestone Arena for our Blue Jackets vs. Predators prediction. The Blue Jackets (40-33-9 last season) were able to significantly improve but still failed to make the playoffs last season. The Predators (30-44-8 last season) had a down year and are looking to improve with the team moving forward as aggressive players in the offseason. This is the first of two games between them this season, as they will not play again until March. Net the value: NHL predictions for Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville Predators with trends that matter.
Blue Jackets Looking to Improve
The Columbus Blue Jackets were able to be aggressive offensively last season as they were seventh in the NHL with 267 goals scored and defenseman Zach Werenski was the highest-scoring player for the team last season as he recorded 82 points (23 goals, 59 assists) a year ago in 81 games. They performed less than the league average throughout the previous season on the power play as they were 36-for-185 (19.46 percent) in those situations.
Elvis Merzlikins will be between the pipes for this game for the Columbus Blue Jackets and struggled last year as he was 26-21-5 with a .892 save percentage and 3.18 goals allowed per game. As a team, the Blue Jackets were 25th in hockey with 267 goals allowed as well. They have been outstanding in terms of killing penalties as they have killed 167-of-43 (76.96 percent) of them.
The Blue Jackets are looking to make the postseason in the second season of coach Dean Evason’s tenure. They just missed the postseason, being two points back of the final playoff spot, but the team was inspiring after celebrating the life of teammate Johnny Gaudreau throughout the season. They were able to significantly improve with 23 points from the 2023-24 season. They added forwards Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to add depth and have a battle for the top goaltender spot between Elivs Merzlikins and Jet Greaves.
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Injury Report for Columbus
- Defenseman Denton Mateychuk: Groin (Questionable)
- Right winger Jordan Dumais: Hip (OUT)
- Defenseman Luca Marrelli: Shoulder (OUT)
Predators Need to Step Up After Last Season’s Struggles
The Nashville Predators finished last season terribly on the offensive side of the ice as they were 31st in the NHL with 212 goals scored. Left winger Filip Forsberg led the team a year ago as he posted 76 points (31 goals, 45 assists) over the course of 82 games. Their power play was slightly above the league average as they converted on 50-of-229 (21.83 percent) of their attempts so this will be something to keep an eye on for the upcoming season.
Juuse Saros did not do too well last season, but he will be between the pipes for this opening game of the season. Last year, he was 20-31-6 with 2.98 goals given up per game and a .896 save percentage. Nashville struggled on the defensive side of things as they are 27th in the sport with 274 goals allowed so far. They were a bit better than the league average at killing penalties as they killed 198-of-243 (81.48 percent) up to this point.
The Predators were aggressive the last few years in the offseason, but last year it did not go too well. With Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault having down seasons in their first year with Nashville, the team needs to figure out how to be better on the offensive side of the game. Their team is full of experienced players and with a team needing to improve on both sides of the ice, they should play closer to the back of their playing cards to begin the 2025-26 season.
Injury Report for Nashville
- Right winger Matthew Wood: Lower Body (OUT)
- Defenseman Nicolas Hague: Upper Body (OUT)
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville Predators Pick
Spread Pick for Blue Jackets vs. Predators
- Columbus Blue Jackets +105 (4 units)
We are in a wait-and-see mode with the Nashville Predators as they need to prove they can be better than they were last season before feeling comfortable against a team that just missed the playoffs a year ago. With all due respect, the tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau has given the front office the ability to figure out how to attack this roster with him no longer being here. Nashville has too many veteran players and not enough young talent to provide fresh blood to the roster. All in all, go with the Columbus Blue Jackets to win the opening game on the road.
Over/Under Pick for Blue Jackets vs. Predators
- UNDER 6.5 (4 units)
These teams struggled offensively throughout the previous season, which means there is not going to be much to be expected here. Elvis Merzlikins should be feeling pressure to keep the starting goaltender spot throughout the beginning portion of the season while Juuse Saros struggled a bit last season and needs to step up, which should improve with the roster taking a step forward after a weird statistical season for them. Both defenses did a respectable job at killing penalties, which should allow them to play well and limit the amount of goals scored. With the beginning of the season typically having a low goal total, go with UNDER 6.5 GOALS here.
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