March 3, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Philip Forsberg (9) puts the puck under Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jett Greaves (73) during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images Charlie Coyle scored with 13:53 left in regulation to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 3-2 victory over the visiting Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
On a night when they won in overtime despite giving up a four-goal Game 3 lead, the Blue Jackets scored twice in the final 20 minutes to pull away in regulation.
Coyle scored his 16th goal of the season and Sean Monahan’s second shorthanded goal tied the score four minutes earlier.
Adam Fantilli extended his goal-scoring streak to four games with the game-opening tally.
Jet Greaves made 20 saves for the Blue Jackets, but the Blue Jackets goalie sat out eight minutes in the first period under concussion protocol after colliding near the net with Nashville’s Nick Blankenburg. Elvis Merzlikins saved the pair in Greaves’ absence.
Filip Forsberg scored a power play goal for the Predators and Ryan O’Reilly was credited with an own goal for the Blue Jackets in the second period.
O’Reilly, the Predators’ point leader, left the game midway through the third quarter after being hit in the face by the butt of Coyle’s cane. O’Reilly, who was not wearing a visor, skated off on his own, leaving a visible scar just below his eye.
Justus Annunen stopped 24 shots, but the Predators lost their third straight game.
Coyle was credited with the game-winner as he battled in front of Annunen with Predators defenseman Roman Josi. Damon Severson’s shot hit Coyle in the net. Nashville unsuccessfully contested the interference.
Just before the game, the Predators announced that Michael McCarron, who participated in pregame warmups, would not play “for roster management purposes.” Before the end of the first period, the Minnesota Wild announced that they had traded for the forward.
Columbus also announced shortly before the opener that center and team captain Boone Jenner would miss the game due to “maintenance” and that it would be considered day-to-day. The Blue Jackets’ leading scorer, defenseman Zach Werenski, has missed his second straight game due to illness.
Then, in a faceoff after Greaves left the ice, another Nashville forward, Cole Smith, came out for his first shift and left shortly after the puck dropped. When reports surfaced that the Predators were also trading him, he headed to the locker room.
–Field level media
