The Columbus Blue Jackets started the 2025-26 season on the road against the Nashville Predators. The Blue Jackets fell, 2-1, in a showcase of outstanding goaltending. Jet Greaves stopped 29 of the 31 shots that came his way, but Juuse Saros kept 37 of 38 Columbus shots out of the net for the win.

After the game, Blue Jackets head coach, Dean Evason, thought the team’s effort was solid, “We did so many really good things in this hockey game. Frustrating, obviously, it’s tough to go in the room and say, you know, keep doing that.”

“Both goalies were great,” added Evason. “They got a couple more power plays than we did. That’s the difference in the hockey game.”

The Predators got on the board 6:45 into the first period when Michael Bunting’s shot from the top of the right circle was blocked but came right back to his stick and he sent the second try into the net.

The Blue Jackets tied the score with just under four minutes remaining in the opening frame. Damon Severson sent an elevated wrister toward the net from the right point. In the midst of traffic in front of Saros, Dmitri Voronkov stuck out his stick with one hand and tipped the puck into the goal.

If there was any controversy in the game, it came with 17 seconds left in the second period. Battling in front of the Nashville goal, Mathieu Olivier was able to put a shot past Saros on a rebound as he sprawled to make the save. It went to replay and goalie interference was called on Olivier to the astonishment of the Columbus bench.

“I’ll give you our explanation, is that, we think Saros slides out. That’s why he’s not able to make the second save,” said Evason. “We think him sliding takes him out of position, not Ollie hitting him. So that’s what’s difficult for us. Hopefully, we’ll get an explanation tomorrow.”

The Preds scored the game winner on a power play early in the third period. Ryan O’Reilly found himself alone at the right post of the Blue Jackets’ goal after a quick pass from Filip Forsburg. O’Reilly was able to elevate the puck off his backhand in close quarters and sneak it past Greaves.

Columbus travels to Minnesota for a game with the Wild Saturday night. The puck is scheduled to drop at 8:00 p.m. The Blue Jackets’ home opener is Monday at Nationwide Arena, when the New Jersey Devils come to town. The action gets underway at 7:00 p.m.