Blue Jackets  0    Predators  1

Columbus Blue Jackets (29-31-11) at Nashville Predators (40-26-5), 8 p.m.

Sports Network | March 20, 2010

(Sports Network) - The Nashville Predators will aim for a fifth consecutive victory tonight when they welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets for a Central Division clash at Bridgestone Arena.

Nashville's recent surge has helped the club solidify its playoff chances. With 85 points, the Predators are tied with Los Angeles for the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Nashville is also four points ahead of Calgary and Detroit, who are currently tied for the West's eighth and final postseason berth.

The Predators turned in a dominating victory Thursday against visiting Minnesota. Pekka Rinne stopped all 17 shots he faced for his fifth shutout of the season, anchoring the Nashville to the 5-0 victory over the Wild.

Jason Arnott, Colin Wilson and Patric Hornqvist all recorded a goal and assist each for the Predators, who are aiming for their first five-game winning streak since rattling off a season-high seven straight wins from Nov. 12-25.

Nashville outshot the Wild by a 37-17 margin and claimed a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period.

"In the first period both teams had chances, but we got those goals, and I think it kind of took the wind out of them," Rinne said. "We didn't let up after that and kept pushing the game."

Tonight marks the end of a three-game homestand for the Preds, who are 20-12-2 as the host this year.

Nashville has taken four of five from the Jackets this year and will try to close out the season series with another victory tonight.

The Predators have claimed wins in six of eight and seven of the last 10 overall encounters and Columbus has lost 13 straight and 16 out of 17 in the Music City. The 13-game home winning streak gives Nashville the NHL's longest active home winning streak against a single opponent.

Despite being last in the Central Division and 14th in the West, the Blue Jackets have won two straight and four of their last five games.

Columbus posted a home victory Friday against Minnesota as captain Rick Nash shined in his return to the lineup, scoring twice in the third period to lift the Blue Jackets to the 4-2 win at Nationwide Arena.

Nash, who had missed four games with a lower-body injury and the flu, tallied on a breakaway 27 seconds after defenseman Kris Russell tied the game at two.

"I thought Rick Nash made a statement to the team that he is a tremendous leader and I think he showed that tonight," said Columbus interim head coach Claude Noel. "He was a man among boys. He was outstanding for us and he took charge of the game."

Kristian Huselius registered a goal and an assist for Columbus, while Mathieu Garon stopped 18 shots in the win.

Columbus has struggled to an 11-20-4 record as the road team this season and has seven losses in its last 10 games away from the Buckeye State.