The Columbus Blue Jackets faced the Nashville Predators at home during First Responders Night starting off this final week of the regular season. Nashville has clawed their way back into the playoffs, with just three points ahead of the Dallas Stars. The goalie match-up featured Elvis Merzlikins versus Juuse Saros, the latter likely in the Vezina conversation with the best goalie record since March 15.
Nashville came out buzzing in the first period, with a hooking penalty by Vladislav Gavrikov putting them on the power play. The Blue Jackets not only successfully killed the penalty, but seemed to find their offense afterwards with multiple quality shots.