March 2, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) hits the puck during the third period of a game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images After nearly experiencing a major collapse, the Columbus Blue Jackets will look for their second win in as many days when they host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
The Blue Jackets have won seven straight and 11 of 12, lost 4-2 at Boston on Thursday and lost 4-3 in overtime against the visiting New York Islanders on Saturday.
Columbus took a 4-0 lead after two periods against the host New York Rangers on Monday. Kirill Marchenko’s overtime goal rescued the Blue Jackets from an embarrassing loss with a 5-4 win.
The Blue Jackets, who moved to within three points of the Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, missed their chance to get a regulation win. They have just 20 players on the season, fifth-fewest in the conference.
The victory in regulation marks the first decider of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boston has 25.
Columbus coach Rick Bowness said “self-inflicted” mistakes, such as defenders getting up the ice at the wrong time or lacking urgency in chasing the puck, made it much more difficult for his team than it needed to be.
“We will resolve this issue and prepare for tomorrow taking both points into account,” he said after the game.
Soft third periods have been a problem for Columbus all season. According to Champs, or Chumps, the Blue Jackets have lost 16 games in which they have led. Finished tied for 4th place. He finished third nine times and still lost. Only the Pittsburgh Penguins have endured a later collapse.
The problem could come back on Tuesday, as the Blue Jackets host a Predators team that ranks second with 18 comeback wins. Nashville is also one of five teams to rally eight or more times from a third-period deficit. Vegas leads the NHL with nine.
Unfortunately for the Predators, they allowed the Red Wings to come back from a 2-1 deficit midway through Monday afternoon’s game, and Detroit recorded a 4-2 win in Nashville.
Two of Detroit’s first three goals came on short goals by Albert Johansson, with the second goal coming with less than four minutes left to put the Red Wings in good shape.
Predators defenseman Roman Josi later said the Blue Jackets play very similar to the Red Wings.
“These are things we can put right,” said the Nashville captain, who recorded his 30th assist of the season in the loss. “I thought we played well defensively in this zone, but when you play these fast teams that are good on the rush, you have to make sure you don’t come back and give up too many odd rushes.”
Nashville was also excluded from the playoffs. The Predators, who are 1-2-2 in their last five games, are four points behind the Utah Mammoth and Edmonton Oilers for two Western Conference wild card spots.
Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski, a key member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, missed Monday’s game due to illness. He has a nine-game point streak (two goals, 11 assists) and leads the team with 45 assists and 65 points.
Steven Stamkos, who leads Nashville in goals with 30, did not score on Monday but has five goals in his last six games.
–Field level media
