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The Columbus Blue Jackets face the Nashville Predators with both teams looking to improve from rough starts to the season. The Blue Jackets have a 7-11-1 record and are in last place in the Metropolitan Division. The Predators have a 9-9-2 and are in the middle of the Central Division standings. Both teams are looking to improve in their divisions as the season progresses and the upcoming game should be a great one as a result.
The Blue Jackets are having a rough season with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.95 goals per game. Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner have scored 15 goals and 17 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only four skaters have scored four goals or more while only three skaters have added six assists or more and opposing defenses can eliminate the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let the Blue Jackets down this year, allowing 4.26 goals per game. Vladislav Gavrikov and Erik Gudbranson have combined for 1.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has been awful, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Daniil Tarasov has struggled in the net with a .906 save percentage and a 3.46 goals-against average on 181 shots.