Nashville Predators vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction 3/3/2026 Today’s NHL Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Feb 4, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) skates with the puck against the Minnesota Wild during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Nashville Predators
Columbus Blue Jackets
Team Records
27-25-8
30-21-8
Spread
+1.5 -218
-1.5 180
Moneyline
+120
-142
Total
Over 6.5 (100)
Under 6.5 (-120)
Where
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
When
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Time
07:00 PM EST
TV
ESPN+
The Nashville Predators and the Columbus Blue Jackets meet Tuesday in NHL action from the Nationwide Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Nashville Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
Nashville Predators Recap
The Nashville Predators come into this game looking to bounce back from a 4-2 loss at the hands of Detroit in their last game to sit at 30-21-8 this season. After this game, Nashville will head home for a game against Boston.
Predators Lose 4 Of Last 5
Ryan O’Reilly leads the Predators in scoring with 58 points along with 21 goals and 37 assists while Filip Forsberg has 49 points with 26 goals and 23 assists. Erik Haula has 30 points with 9 goals and 21 assists and Luke Evangelista has 45 points with 37 assists as well this season. Michael Bunting has 31 points with 13 goals and 18 assists and Steven Stamkos has 46 points with a team-high 30 goals this season. Juuse Saros has gone 21-18-6 with a 3.19 GAA and an .892 save percentage while Justus Annunen has gone 6–72 with a 3.16 GAA and an .888 save percentage so far this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Recap
The Columbus Blue Jackets come into this game looking to add on to their 5-4 OT win over the Rangers last time out to sit at 30-21-8 this season. After this game, Columbus will head home for a game against Florida.
Blue Jackets Snap Two-Game Skid
Entering Monday’s game against the Rangers, Zach Werenski has 65 points with 20 goals and a team-high 45 assists while Dmitri Voronkov has 17 goals and 15 assists for his 32 points. Kirill Marchenko has 47 points with 20 goals and 27 assists and Charlie Coyle has 43 points with 15 goals and 28 assists. Adam Fantilli has 39 points with 15 goals and 24 assists of his own while Sean Monahan has 27 points with 10 goals and 17 assists. Jet Greaves has gone 16-12-6 with a 2.69 GAA and a .908 save percentage while Elvis Merzlikins has gone 10-8-1 with a 3.67 GAA and an .884 save percentage between the pipes for Columbus so far this season.
Nashville Predators @ Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends: March 3, 2026
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
The Predators have lost each of their last 10 road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
The Blue Jackets have won each of their last 11 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last six home games against the Predators.
The Predators have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games at Nationwide Arena.
The Blue Jackets have won the first period in each of their last seven games as home favorites.
Why the Nashville Predators will win
The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last two games as home favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
The underdogs have won eight of the Predators’ last 12 games at Nationwide Arena.
The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight home games against opponents on a losing streak.
The Predators have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight road games following a loss.
The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games following an overtime win.
Total Goals Facts
Each of the Blue Jackets’ last six games against opponents on a losing streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
Each of the Predators’ last six night games at Nationwide Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last nine games following an overtime win.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Predators’ last five games as underdogs.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 13 of his last 14 appearances with the Blue Jackets as favorites against Central Division opponents.
Zach Werenski has scored the first goal in each of the Blue Jackets’ last three home games against Central Division opponents.
Zach Werenski has scored at least one goal in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four home games against Central Division opponents.
Kirill Marchenko ranks T1st in the league for shootout goals (5) this season.
Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts
Michael Bunting has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances against the Blue Jackets.
Ryan O’Reilly has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog against the Blue Jackets.
Steven Stamkos ranks 1st in the league for Game Winning Goals (9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 2nd in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (0.71).
The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 31st in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.29).
The Nashville Predators rank 29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.45).
The Nashville Predators rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (1).
Nashville Predators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
I’m on the Blue Jackets here. Both teams on a back-to-back, but I just trust the Blue Jackets more in a spot like this right now and I still have not been able to feel comfortable backing the Predators on the road since the start of last year. Columbus is still playing some decent hockey and should be able to nab another winnable spot at home here. Give me the Blue Jackets.
