The Nashville Predators' struggles continued as they suffered a disheartening 8-4 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets, marking their worst defensive performance of the season. This loss brings the Predators' record to 27-40-8, firmly cementing their exit from playoff contention. Goaltender Juuse Saros faced a challenging night, allowing eight goals on 26 shots, including several soft ones that could have been saved. The Blue Jackets capitalized on defensive lapses, dominating the game with a high volume of shots and capitalizing on turnovers.

The Predators' defense faltered significantly, leading to multiple high-danger chances for the Blue Jackets. Kirill Marchenko's hat trick and two goals each from Adam Fantili and Sean Monahan highlighted the Blue Jackets' offensive prowess. Even as the Blue Jackets eased off in the third period, the damage was already done, and the Predators' chances for a high draft pick in 2025 became a silver lining amidst a dismal season.