Columbus Blue Jackets vs Nashville Predators Picks and Predictions April 1st 2025

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Nashville Predators April 1st 2025

The Predators and Blue Jackets are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Blue Jackets will host the game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 6 goals, with the Blue Jackets being the favored by -1.5 goals against the Predators.

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Nashville vs. Columbus Key Information

• Teams: Predators at Blue Jackets
• Where: Nationwide Arena Columbus
• Date: Tuesday, April 1st
• Betting Odds CBJ -191 | NAS +160 O/U 6

The Predators Can Win If…

Nashville improved to 27-39-8 with a 5-2 win over the Avalanche. The Predators covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

All five of Nashville’s goals came from different players, and they trailed 1-0 before Steven Stamkos tied it up at 11:29 in the second period. The Predators then scored five unanswered goals to secure the win.

Nashville’s offense delivered a 5-2 win over Colorado, with two empty-net goals in the final 1:14. Filip Forsberg scored his 7th goal of the season, while Gustav Nyquist added his 4th. Roman Josi netted his first goal of the year on a power play, and Steven Stamkos, who now has 3 assists, scored his 2nd goal of the season. Colton Sissons also found the net for the first time this year.

The Predators took 25 shots on goal and scored twice on power plays. They were held scoreless in the first period before getting on the board with Stamkos’ power-play goal at 11:29 of the second period.

Defensively, Nashville allowed the first goal of the game at 17:06 in the second period and another late in the third, but they held on for a 5-2 win. Juuse Saros made 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage, while the Predators’ defense contributed 4 takeaways and 23 hits.

• Across Nashville’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 0-3. Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 2-1 along with an over-under record of 0-3.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Nashville has a record of 2-8. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 1-9.

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus fell to 33-30-9 after a 7-2 road loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6.5 goals was surpassed, with the teams combining for 9.

Defensively, the Blue Jackets struggled from the start, allowing a goal just 56 seconds into the game. They gave up five goals in the first period, and their two goals came in the second period, after the game was already out of reach.

Columbus fired 36 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson scored his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson put them on the board 49 seconds into the second period.

Columbus had 13 giveaways and did not score on the power play. Sean Monahan picked up his fifth assist of the season on Labanc’s goal, and Zach Aston-Reese recorded his second assist of the year.

Defensively, the Blue Jackets had a rough outing, allowing 7 goals on 22 shots from the Capitals. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves but finished with a 68.2% save percentage. Columbus also recorded 10 takeaways and 17 hits. The defense struggled early, giving up five goals in the first period, including the opening goal just 56 seconds into the game.

• Columbus will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 2-1 over their past three games. In addition, their puck line record over this stretch is 2-1 while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
• The Blue Jackets have gone 3-7 over their last ten regular season games. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 5-5 and an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

If you’re searching for a moneyline bet in this matchup, our analysis favors the Blue Jackets as the likely winner. Nevertheless, considering the current odds at -191, I’d suggest exploring the puc line bet, as our projections indicate the Blue Jackets winning by more than a single goal.

When it comes to a puck line pick, our choice is the Blue Jackets to secure the win and cover. Expect the Blue Jackets to dominate this one with a multi-goal win over the Predators.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Blue Jackets Aim to Stay in Wild-Card Hunt Against Slumping Predators

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the calendar flips to April, the Columbus Blue Jackets hope a new month brings steadier results in their postseason pursuit. That chase continues Tuesday when the Blue Jackets host the struggling Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Looks to Shake Off March Struggles

After a dismal 4-8-1 record in March that saw them briefly lose six in a row, the Blue Jackets (33-30-9, 75 points) remain just two points shy of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. With a game in hand over the Montreal Canadiens and three more games to play than the New York Rangers — who also sit two points ahead — Columbus is still very much in the race.

A 3-2 loss in Ottawa on Sunday stopped a modest two-game win streak and served as a reminder of the razor-thin margin in the playoff hunt. Columbus battled back from a two-goal deficit behind tallies from Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Zach Werenski had assists on both goals and continues to anchor the offense from the blue line. The veteran defenseman leads the club with 72 points and is showing signs of regaining his rhythm after a six-game scoreless skid.

Marchenko, heating up at the right time, has found the back of the net in three consecutive games.

Despite the recent offensive resurgence, special teams remain a concern. The Blue Jackets went just 2-for-28 on the power play in March, ranking near the bottom of the league during that stretch.

Predators Playing Out the String Amid Injuries, Frustrations

It’s been a brutal stretch for Nashville (27-39-8, 62 points), whose slim playoff hopes have all but vanished after three straight losses and eight in their last ten. Monday’s 2-1 defeat in Philadelphia featured a controversial disallowed goal by Steven Stamkos in the third period, adding to a growing sense of frustration.

“I don’t think the effort’s the problem,” Stamkos said. “It’s just the finishing that’s not there, and it’s been like that all year.”

The Predators have managed just four goals in their past three games despite registering plenty of scoring chances. Stamkos, who has 23 goals on the year, has scored only once in his last 10 outings.

Injuries haven’t helped. Nashville is without Colton Sissons for the foreseeable future due to a leg injury, while key playmaker Jonathan Marchessault — second on the team in points — is day-to-day with a lower-body issue and missed Monday’s game.

Coach Andrew Brunette opted for a seven-defenseman lineup in Philadelphia and may do the same in Columbus depending on Marchessault’s status.

One consistent area has been the power play, which had scored in six consecutive games before going 0-for-1 Monday. It could be a key edge against Columbus’ struggling penalty kill.

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What to Watch

Columbus holds the edge in momentum and playoff urgency, but will need to solve its power-play issues and avoid the second-period lulls that plagued them against Ottawa. Nashville, meanwhile, will try to frustrate with volume and defense, looking to spark their offense despite key absences.

If the Blue Jackets want to remain in the wild-card conversation, this is a game they must capitalize on — especially against a team limping toward the offseason.