The surging Nashville Predators have performed themselves into the thick of the playoff race.

Though set to overlook the postseason for a fourth straight 12 months, the Columbus Blue Jackets have fared effectively of late.

Amid a 10-game level streak and in search of their sixth consecutive highway victory, the Predators look to maintain the host Blue Jackets from a fourth win in 5 video games Saturday.

Nashville has outscored opponents 44-19 throughout its 9-0-1 stretch that has propelled the membership to the highest of the wild-card standings within the Western Conference. After their eight-game successful streak ended with Tuesday’s 4-3 time beyond regulation house loss to Montreal, the Predators bounced again to publish a 4-2 house victory towards Buffalo on Thursday.

“When we do issues that make us profitable, that recipe that we do it with, we’re a reasonably good workforce,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “And, I think we proved that over the last 10 games.”

Star Filip Forsberg continues to tempo the Predators’ success and has been one of many NHL’s greatest whereas posting seven objectives and 5 assists throughout a seven-game level streak. Forsberg recorded his ninth profession hat trick Thursday in topping the 30-goal mark for a fourth time.

“When (Forsberg) will get going like that … he places the facility ahead and talent comes behind it, and that’s a lethal mixture,” Brunette added.

Forsberg, however, has just five points in 12 career games at Columbus.

As these teams enter their first season meeting, Nashville tries for its first six-game road winning streak since 2018-19 but is 0-2-1 in the last three trips to Columbus.

The Blue Jackets’ 54 points are tied for last in the East, but they’ve totaled 18 goals during their current 3-1-0 stretch, which includes victories over playoff contenders Vegas and Edmonton. In one of its most impressive performances of the season Thursday, Columbus scored three times in the first period en route to a 4-2 home victory that snapped the Oilers’ five-game winning streak.

“We’re seeing the team that is getting more confident,” Columbus coach Pascal Vincent stated.

“There’s no good (system), however once they begin enjoying for one another, executing the system, all 5 guys on the ice at a time, it turns into an excellent system and turns into an excellent workforce.”

The Blue Jackets’ Jack Roslovic has a goal in two straight games, and 13 points in his last 12. He’s posted six points in his last eight games versus Nashville.

Columbus rookie Dmitri Voronkov snapped a five-game point drought with his 17th goal. Goaltender Daniil Tarasov has stopped 65 of 70 shots in winning his last two starts.

Meanwhile, Nashville’s Juuse Saros has a 1.75 goals-against average and .940 save percentage during his 7-0-1 starting stretch. Backup Kevin Lankinen has stopped 52 of the 57 shots he’s faced while winning each of his last two starts — both on the road.

Veteran forward Anthony Beauvillier, with four goals and 10 assists in 45 games this season, could make his Predators debut after being acquired from Chicago on Thursday.

–Field Level Media