Blue Jackets rally past fading Predators with two third-period goals

Charlie Coyle scored the game-winner as Columbus came back from a 2-1 deficit

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Columbus Blue Jackets scored twice in the third period to rally past the visiting Nashville Predators 3-2 on Tuesday night. Charlie Coyle scored the game-winning goal with 13:53 left in regulation, while Sean Monahan tied the game earlier in the period with a short-handed tally. The Blue Jackets overcame an early deficit after Adam Fantilli opened the scoring and Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly scored for the Predators.

Why it matters

The comeback win keeps the Blue Jackets in the playoff hunt in the tight Eastern Conference, while the Predators' third straight loss further damages their fading postseason chances in the West.

The details

Coyle's game-winning goal came as he battled in front of the net with Predators defenseman Roman Josi, with Damon Severson's shot from the point caroming off Coyle and into the net. Nashville unsuccessfully challenged the play for interference. Earlier in the third, Monahan scored short-handed to tie the game at 2-2 before Coyle's heroics. Jet Greaves made 20 saves for the Blue Jackets, but left the game briefly in the first period under concussion protocol after a collision near the net.

  • Coyle scored the game-winning goal with 13:53 left in regulation.
  • Monahan tied the game with a short-handed goal four minutes earlier in the third period.
  • Fantilli opened the scoring for the Blue Jackets, extending his goal-scoring streak to four games.

The players

Charlie Coyle

A forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Sean Monahan

A forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who scored the game-tying short-handed goal in the third period.

Adam Fantilli

A forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who opened the scoring and extended his goal-scoring streak to four games.

Filip Forsberg

A forward for the Nashville Predators who scored a power-play goal.

Ryan O'Reilly

The leading scorer for the Nashville Predators who received credit for an own goal by the Blue Jackets and left the game in the third period after taking a stick to the face.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to close out games and get points. This is a tough loss, but we'll regroup and get ready for the next one.”

— John Hynes, Head Coach, Nashville Predators (The Tennessean)

“The guys showed a lot of heart to come back in the third period. It was an important win for us to stay in the playoff hunt.”

— Brad Larsen, Head Coach, Columbus Blue Jackets (The Columbus Dispatch)

What’s next

The Blue Jackets will look to build on this comeback win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Predators will try to end their three-game skid in their next game.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the resilience of the Blue Jackets, who refused to give up despite an early deficit, as well as the Predators' struggles to close out games and maintain their playoff position in the crowded Western Conference.