The Nashville Predators host the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first game of the season on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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

Our computer projection model for this game predicts a final result of Blue Jackets 4, Predators 3.

The Predators were 6-8-14 in overtime games as part of a 30-44-8 overall record last season.
Nashville picked up 26 points (9-9-8) in the 26 games it played that were decided by one goal.
In the 13 games last season the Predators scored only one goal, they lost every time.
Nashville scored exactly two goals in 22 games last season (4-12-6 record, 14 points).
The Predators scored at least three goals in 37 games (26-10-1, 53 points).
In the 29 games when Nashville recorded a single power-play goal, it had a 12-14-3 record (27 points).
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 went 12-24-3 in those matchups (27 points).

The Blue Jackets had a 40-33-9 record last season, and were 10-9-19 in contests that required overtime.
Columbus picked up 22 points (7-7-8) in its 22 games decided by one goal.
Last season the Blue Jackets scored only one goal in seven games, and they picked up two points (0-5-2).
When Columbus scored a pair of goals last season, they amassed nine points (4-10-1 record).
The Blue Jackets scored at least three goals 51 times, accumulating 76 points (36-11-4).
Columbus scored a single power-play goal in 28 games last season and registered 38 points.
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 finished 19-17-5 in those contests (43 points).

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