Blue Jackets lose to Predators

J.P. Dumas extended his points streak to 16 games for Nashville.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — J.P Dumont extended the longest current points streak in the NHL to 16 games with two assists and the Nashville Predators beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 on Thursday night.

Alexander Radulov, Jason Arnott, Vernon Fiddler and Scott Nichol scored goals for the Predators.

Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche scored for Columbus.

Radulov wasted little time putting the Predators on the board. Moving forward midway through the slot, he blasted a one-timer between the leg pads of goaltender Pascal Leclaire 26 seconds after the opening face-off.

Arnott scored at 11:48 on the power play as J.P. Dumont found him in the middle of the slot. Arnott’s one-timer went past Leclaire low to his glove side.

The Blue Jackets struck back quickly in the second. Zherdev skated around the back of the net and fired a shot across the crease that bounced off goaltender Chris Mason and into the net on the power play 34 seconds into the period.

At the 8:59 mark of the second, Darcy Hordichuk passed the puck to Fiddler as he skated past the Blue Jackets defense. Fiddler’s one-timer from the left circle found the right side of the net, beating Leclaire wide and low to his glove side.

Fritsche cut the lead to one as beat Mason with a shot between his leg pads at 11:09.

The Predators built a 4-2 lead at 13:58 when Scott Nichol fought through the crowd and backhanded a shot from the edge of the crease. The puck went into the right side of the net as Leclaire tried to stop it with an outstretched leg.

Notes

Also on points streaks are Dumont’s linemates Arnott, with points in eight straight games, and Radulov, with points in five straight. ... Arnott injured his leg in the second period and did not return to the game. ... The Predators have a power play goal in each of their last five home games. ... Sergei Federov missed his sixth game for Columbus because of a concussion. ... Adam Foote was back for Columbus after missing Tuesday’s game with the flu. ... Hordichuk earned his first assist of the season.