Blue Jackets  3    Predators  4

Columbus Blue Jackets (12-6-2) at Nashville Predators (11-8-1), 8 p.m.

Sports Network | November 21, 2009

(Sports Network) - The Nashville Predators will be out to extend a few impressive streaks when the surging club hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets this evening in a Central Division clash from the Sommet Center.

Nashville enters Saturday's showdown having won four consecutive games and has prevailed in each of its past five outings at the Sommet Center, where the club has posted a 6-3-0 mark thus far on the young season. The Predators are unbeaten through the first three tests of a current five-game homestand after dealing Atlantic Division leader New Jersey a 3-2 shootout loss on Thursday.

In addition, the Predators have dominated the Blue Jackets in Nashville over the past few years. Columbus has lost in 11 straight trips to the Music City -- nine of which have come in regulation -- since a 3-1 triumph there on April 3, 2006.

Nashville is also an eye-opening 18-2-2 overall against Columbus since the start of the 2006-07 campaign.

This Blue Jackets team could be ready to end that string of futility, however. Columbus, which reached the playoffs for the first time in the franchise's eight-year history last season, is off to a strong 12-6-2 start and won its third straight game with Thursday's 4-1 road decision at Dallas.

Columbus is riding a three-game road winning streak as well and has gone 6-4-0 as the visitor this season.

Kristian Huselius scored twice and added an assist for the Jackets on Thursday, helping to back an encouraging 25-save effort from goaltender Steve Mason.

Mason, the 2008-09 Calder Trophy recipient honoring the NHL's top rookie, had sat out Columbus' last two games in favor of Mathieu Garon after being blasted for eight goals in a 9-1 loss to Detroit on November 11. The 21-year-old has recorded a lackluster 3.48 goals-against average in 15 starts this season.

Raffi Torres and Rick Nash also had goals for the Blue Jackets, winners of five of their last six contests.

Martin Erat gave Nashville its latest victory when he beat Devils legend Martin Brodeur up high in the third round of the shootout. Preds netminder Pekka Rinne thwarted two of the three New Jersey skaters he faced in the deciding phase, after stopping 26-of-28 shots in regulation and overtime.

"It was a big game at home for us tonight and a big two points," said Nashville forward J.P. Dumont, who assisted on both of teammate Jason Arnott's two goals on the evening.