A “greasy” goal in hockey is an ugly goal, a scrappy goal that’s the result of tough, dirty work around the opponents’ net. On Tuesday at Nationwide Arena, the Columbus Blue Jackets saw the visiting Nashville Predators take a 2-1 lead after two periods as a result of two less than artistic goals.

During the second intermission, Columbus head coach, Rick Bowness, told his troops that the Predators “had scored two greasy goals and we needed to score some greasy goals.”

“You’ve got to get to the net,” he added. “It certainly wasn’t a Picasso out there tonight. You had two tired teams and it was obvious. They got both of their two goals by just putting (the puck at) the net and slashing it in. We were encouraging our forwards and we did a much better job in the third period overall getting into the paint.”

The Blue Jackets got things started in the first period. Adam Fantilli scored in his fourth straight game on a beautifully executed play with assists from Kirill Marchenko and Mason Marchment. Nashville tied the score with only 28 seconds remaining in the opening frame on a Filip Forsburg power play goal that he jammed home from the crease.

Columbus’s leading scorer Zach Werenski did not play for the second straight game with an illness, while captain Boone Jenner was out of the lineup for “maintenance”. Jet Greaves missed part of the first period, after receiving a blow from former Blue Jacket Nick Blankenberg on a rush.

The Predators took the lead in the second period when Rick O’Reilly was credited with a goal that actually hit off Greaves’ backside when Ivan Provorov tried to make a desperation save from the goal line behind the Blue Jackets’ netminder.

Then came the third period, one night after Columbus gave up four unanswered goals at Madison Square Garden, allowing the Rangers to take the game to overtime before the Blue Jackets bounced back with an overtime tally for the win.

This finale would be different. Sean Monahan tied the game on a short-handed goal with Charlie Coyle rushing to the net to distract the focus of the Preds’ defense.

Columbus then took the lead on a Damon Severson shot from the right circle that Coyle redirected past goaltender Justus Annunen. The play was reviewed for goalie interference, but the greasy goal was confirmed.

With the win, the Blue Jackets jumped over Washington into the fourth spot in the Metro Division standings, trailing the New York Islanders by five points with a game in hand. They remained just three points behind Boston for the second wild card spot in the NHL’s Eastern Division after the Bruins also won Tuesday.

Tuesday’s game at Nationwide was the Blue Jackets’ first of four consecutive home contests. Next up is the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers who come to Columbus Thursday. The face-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.