Preds score late, hand Jackets sixth straight loss
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Colin Wilson's goal with 2:12 remaining lifted the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in a matchup of teams going in opposite directions.
Mike Ribeiro also scored for Nashville, and Pekka Rinne recorded 21 saves to help the Preds run their winning streak to a season-high four games.
"Since I've been here we tend to get into close games," said Wilson. "It's good to get some wins in where it's tight and you learn how to win in certain situations."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Columbus fell to 0-5-1 in its last six contests despite an outstanding effort from goaltender Curtis McElhinney, who kept his team in it with a 40-save performance.
"(The Predators) do a great job," said Columbus coach Todd Richards. "They make it difficult executing, making plays coming out of your zone."
Ryan Johansen potted the struggling Blue Jackets' only goal on a power play early in the third period to tie the game at 1-1.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After being stymied by McElhinney for most of the night and failing on four power-play chances, including one with the score tied with under eight minutes to go, Nashville finally put the Blue Jackets away in the final stages.
McElhinney made an outstanding save on Craig Smith from in close, but left the net uncovered. Wilson backhanded the puck into the opening for the eventual game-winner.
Columbus pulled McElhinney with just over a minute to go but couldn't get off a shot with the extra attacker.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ribeiro accounted for the lone goal over the first two periods of play, skating from behind the Columbus net to put in a loose puck after McElhinney turned aside Roman Josi's initial chance. The score came 7:13 prior to the second intermission.
McElhinney had been terrific up until that point, casting away 20 Nashville shots during an incredibly busy opening period. He made 12 more saves in the second.
A high-sticking penalty to Josi 3:35 into the third enabled the Jackets to draw even. Columbus needed just 13 seconds with the man advantage to score, with Nick Foligno sliding a pass across the crease that Johansen one-timed home.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
Nashville has now posted six straight victories at Bridgestone Arena, its longest home winning streak since a six-game run from Jan. 7-Feb. 4, 2012 ... Rinne recorded his 16th career win over Columbus, his most against any team, and improved to 12-2-2 in 16 home starts against the Jackets ... Columbus fell to 2-13-2 since Oct. 24 ... Forward Matt Cullen returned to the Predators' lineup after missing Thursday's game against Edmonton with an upper-body injury.