The Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets meet at Bridgestone Arena for a season opener on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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As action begins for the beginning of the NHL season, here is who we predict will bring home the win in Thursday's action.

Our computer projection model for this encounter calls for a final tally of Blue Jackets 4, Predators 3.

The Predators went 6-8-14 in overtime games last season on their way to an overall record of 30-44-8.
In the 26 games Nashville played that were decided by one goal, it had a 9-9-8 record (good for 26 points).
In the 13 games last season the Predators recorded just one goal, they lost every time.
Nashville finished 4-12-6 in the 22 games last season when it scored exactly two goals (registering 14 points).
The Predators scored at least three goals 37 times, and went 26-10-1 in those games (to register 53 points).
In the 29 games when Nashville scored a lone power-play goal, it picked up 27 points by finishing 12-14-3.
In the 41 games last season when it outshot its opponent, Nashville was 18-18-5 (41 points).
The Predators' opponent had more shots in 39 games last season. The Predators finished 12-24-3 in those contests (27 points).

The Blue Jackets had a 40-33-9 record last season, and were 10-9-19 in contests that needed overtime.
Columbus accumulated 22 points (7-7-8) in its 22 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
Last season the Blue Jackets registered just one goal in seven games, and they picked up two points (0-5-2).
When Columbus scored exactly two goals last season, they amassed nine points (4-10-1 record).
The Blue Jackets scored three or more goals 51 times, accumulating 76 points (36-11-4).
Last season Columbus scored a single power-play goal in 28 games and picked up 38 points, with a record of 18-8-2.
When outshooting its opponent last season, Columbus was 18-12-4 (40 points).
The Blue Jackets' opponents had more shots in 41 games last season. The Blue Jackets went 19-17-5 in those contests (43 points).

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