The Nashville Predators host the Columbus Blue Jackets in a season opener on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more.

As the action begins for the start of the NHL season, here's who we predict will take home the victory in Thursday's action.

Our computer projection model for this contest expects a final tally of Blue Jackets 4, Predators 3.

The Predators had a 30-44-8 record overall, with a 6-8-14 record in games that needed overtime, last season.
Nashville was 9-9-8 (26 points) in its 26 games decided by one goal.
In the 13 games last season the Predators scored only one goal, they lost every time.
Nashville finished 4-12-6 in the 22 games last season when it scored exactly two goals (registering 14 points).
The Predators were 26-10-1 when they scored three or more goals (to register 53 points).
In the 29 games when Nashville recorded a lone power-play goal, it had a 12-14-3 record (27 points).
In the 41 games last season when it outshot its opponent, Nashville was 18-18-5 (41 points).
The Predators' opponent had more shots in 39 games last season. The Predators went 12-24-3 in those contests (27 points).

The Blue Jackets had a 10-9-19 record in overtime contests last season, and a 40-33-9 overall record.
Columbus picked up 22 points (7-7-8) in its 22 games decided by one goal.
Last season the Blue Jackets scored only one goal in seven games, and they picked up two points (0-5-2).
Columbus picked up nine points (4-10-1 record) last season when scoring exactly two goals .
The Blue Jackets picked up 76 points in their 51 games when they scored three or more goals.
Last season Columbus scored a single power-play goal in 28 games and registered 38 points, with a record of 18-8-2.
When outshooting its opponent last season, Columbus was 18-12-4 (40 points).
The Blue Jackets' opponents had more shots in 41 games last season. The Blue Jackets finished 19-17-5 in those contests (43 points).

2 Pros and a Cup of Joe