The third period was finally a charm for the Blue Jackets.
A day after losing a 4-0 lead and eking out a 5-4 overtime win March 2 at the New York Rangers, the Jackets overcame a 2-1 deficit with two gritty goals in the third period to edge the Nashville Predators 3-2 on March 3 at Nationwide Arena. It was their third straight sweep of back-to-back games going back to late January and gave their playoff aspirations a needed boost with star defenseman Zach Werenski (illness) and captain Boone Jenner (undisclosed) both sidelined.
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More: Zach Werenski, Boone Jenner out vs Nashville Predators
“We were down there (starting the third) and emphasized the importance of getting greasy goals, not just trying to backdoor every single one, and we got both of them on guys just going to the net,” center Adam Fantilli said. “Obviously, you want to manufacture offense and do things you can score with over and over, but sometimes it’s just getting it to the net, getting a lucky bounce and just getting your nose dirty.”
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators warm up prior to the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators warm up prior to the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) stretches prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
On Hockey is for Everyone night, Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) and center Adam Fantilli (19) warm up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
The National Anthem is performed prior to the NHL hockey game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Isac Lundeström (21) skates past Nashville Predators defenseman Brady Skjei (76) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets mascot Stinger interacts with fans during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Nashville Predators left wing Erik Haula (56) hits Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets starting goaltender Jet Greaves (73) leaves the game for a few minutes during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) helps warm up goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) after goaltender Jet Greaves (73) left the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) skates during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) shoots past Nashville Predators center Ozzy Wiesblatt (89) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Miles Wood (11) skates past Nashville Predators left wing Michael Bunting (58) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates a goal during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates a goal with defenseman Dante Fabbro (15) and defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) fights for position behind Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (17) skates between Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg (37) and defenseman Nick Perbix (48) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) scores past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
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NHL highlights of Columbus Blue Jackets, Nashville Predators game
Referee Eric Furlatt (27) awards Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) a goal after review during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026.
The win moved the Blue Jackets (31-21-8) to 70 points, pushing them past the Washington Capitals for fourth in the Metropolitan Division by one point and keeping them within three points of the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Sean Monahan’s short-handed goal tied it 2-2 at 1:52 of the third period against the Predators (27-26-8) and Severson’s shot from the blue line 4:07 later led to the winning goal after the puck deflected into the net off center Charlie Coyle.
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“It certainly wasn’t a Picasso out there tonight,” Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness said. “You had two tired teams (finishing back-to-backs) and it was obvious. They got both of their goals by just putting it to the net and slashing it in. We were encouraging our forwards, and we did a much better job in the third period overall, of just getting into the paint. Get in there. We got a lucky one with Charlie going there, but you need those breaks and you don’t get those unless you’re there.”
Teammates celebrate a goal by Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026. The Blue Jackets won 3-2 on the goal.
Fantilli scored the first goal for the Blue Jackets, who started goalie Jet Greaves (20 saves) and got two saves from Elvis Merzlikins while Greaves underwent baseline concussion testing in the first period. Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly scored for the Predators, giving them a 2-1 lead starting the third.
Predators goalie Justus Annunen made 24 saves in defeat.
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Monahan’s short-handed goal, his second in as many games, provided an emotional lift early in the third. It tied the game 2-2 at 1:52 on a wrist shot that beat Annunen while Coyle charged in front of the net. That set the stage for Coyle’s winner, which he scored by standing in front of Annunen for a deflection off Severson’s shot at 6:07 of the period.
The Predators challenged for goaltender inteference on Coyle, who briefly contacted Annunen before exiting the crease, but the NHL upheld the goal after ruling that Coyle didn’t impede Annunen’s ability to play his position.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves (73) salutes the fans following the NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2026. The Blue Jackets won 3-2.
Adding another two points kept the Blue Jackets (70 points) within three points of the Boston Bruins, who defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in regulation. The Penguins’ loss kept them five points ahead of Columbus for second place of the Metropolitan Division. The New York Islanders, who didn’t play March 3, are also five points ahead of the Blue Jackets for third in the division.
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The Jackets did climb a spot in the Metropolitan, passing the Washington Capitals (69 points) for fourth place. Washington lost at home, in regulation, to the Utah Mammoth and has played three more games than Columbus.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets get ‘greasy’ to nip Nashville Predators