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Preds double up Blue Jackets for sixth straight win

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Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Steve Sullivan notched the game-winning goal late in the second period, as Nashville doubled up Columbus, 4-2, at Sommet Center.

Vernon Fiddler, Ryan Jones and Martin Erat also lit the lamp for the Predators, who have won six consecutive games, including five straight at home.

Pekka Rinne made 31 stops to post his 22nd win of the season.

Rick Nash and Jason Williams scored for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped four of six.

Steve Mason allowed all four goals on just 23 shots in the loss, dropping him to 25-16-3 on the year.

Erat extended the Preds lead to 4-2 at the 4:24 mark of the third period, and Rinne made the lead hold up with 10 stops.

Columbus had a power-play late in regulation after Nashville defenseman Greg DeVries went off for hooking with 22 seconds left, but the opportunity proved fruitless even with Mason on the bench and a 6-on-4 advantage.

Fiddler broke a scoreless tie with 7:16 played in the second period, slamming home the rebound of an Antti Pihlstrom chance. Williams countered for the Jackets 4 1/2 minutes later.

Nash was credited with a tip of Kristian Huselius' shot for a 2-1 Columbus lead, but Nashville struck for a pair in short order to take a 3-2 edge.

Jones hit the net at 15:39, taking a loose puck near the crease from a Wade Belak offering and shoveling it home. Sullivan broke free up the middle and slipped a backhander past Mason for the go-ahead score at 18:14.

Game Notes

Nashville completed its homestand by outscoring the opposition by a 27-11 margin...Each team has won two games apiece in the season series...The Predators head to Philadelphia on Saturday, and the Blue Jackets visit Detroit also Saturday.

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