Ryan O’Reilly’s power-play goal lifts the Predators to a 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets

NASHVILLE Tenn AP Ryan O Reilly scored a power-play goal early in the third period and the Nashville Predators opened the season Thursday night by beating the Blue Jackets - and extending their home winning streak over Columbus to games The Predators streak on home ice against Columbus dates to March They are - - in Music City against the Blue Jackets Overall they have wins over Columbus which ranks second only to Nashville s wins against Chicago for the greater part by the franchise against any opponent Nashville also ensured a better start after last season s five-game skid O Reilly put the Predators ahead by flipping a backhander from the side of the net over Columbus goaltender Jet Greaves off assists from Filip Forsberg and captain Roman Josi Michael Bunting also scored for Nashville Juuse Saros made saves including a flurry in the final minute with the Columbus net empty Dmitri Voronkov had the first goal of Columbus th NHL season and Greaves made saves Bunting put a slap shot over Greaves glove into the first period Voronkov who had goals last season tied it with left in the period with a tip-in Columbus thought it had a - lead when Mathieu Olivier tapped in a rebound from the edge of the crease with seconds left in the second Nashville right now challenged for goaltender interference and the goal was taken off the board after review The Predators went for on the power play through two periods including seconds of a -on- in the second O Reilly ended that drought for a unit that ranked th last season just seconds after Columbus forward Zach Aston-Reese went to the box for tripping Up next Blue Jackets Visit Minnesota on Saturday Predators Host Utah on Saturday night AP NHL https apnews com hub NHL Source