Forsberg scores four goals for Predators in victory against Blue Jackets

NASHVILLE --Filip Forsberg scored four goals to reach 400 NHL points in the Nashville Predators' 6-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

It was the seventh regular-season hat trick in Forsberg's NHL career, and his four goals tied the Predators record held by Eric Nystrom (2014) and Rocco Grimaldi (2021).
Mikael Granlund had the primary assist on each of Forsberg's goals, Matt Duchene had two assists, and Juuse Saros made 27 saves for his first shutout of the season for the Predators (12-9-1).
"I thought that line in general … you could see right off the bat they had a lot of energy, and I think their execution and the tenaciousness that they played with to be able to put themselves in scoring areas was very good," Predators coach John Hynes said of the top line of Forsberg-Granlund-Duchene. "Obviously, Filip was in scoring areas. He was feeling it tonight and it's nice to see. It's nice to see them play the way they did tonight and also get rewarded for us."

The Blue Jackets (12-8-0) were shut out for the second time this season. Elvis Merzlikins allowed three goals on nine shots and was replaced at 12:52 of the first period by Joonas Korpisalo, who made 25 saves.
"Not a good start by us," Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner said. "We couldn't make plays. We were not as sharp and as quick as we wanted to be throughout the night, but the start definitely hurt us."
Forsberg gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 4:56 of the first period. He skated in along the bottom of the left circle and shot short side over Merzlikins shoulder.
"I think our line started off really well in the first, and obviously got one early, had a lot more chances," Forsberg said. "Both [Granlund] and [Duchene] played incredible. Made life very easy for me. I was able to finish off some of their plays, obviously, and it was good."
Yakov Trenin made it 2-0 at 12:43, and nine seconds later, Forsberg extended the lead to 3-0 with a shot from the slot following a Columbus turnover.

"You're looking at trying to change the momentum at three," Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. "Elvis has been tremendous for us. At that point, three quick ones like that, we've got to do something. There's no blame. We move by it. He's been a tremendous, tremendous key for us. I expect him to bounce right back."
Columbus appeared to cut Nashville's lead to 3-1 at 10:38 of the second period, but the call was reversed after a video review determinedCole Sillinger was offside prior to Jack Roslovic's goal.
Forsberg completed the hat trick at 15:26 of the second period to make it 4-0 before pushing the lead to 5-0 at 19:54, securing Granlund's pass in front of the crease and sliding a backhand past Korpisalo on a power play.
"I think the unreal part was [Granlund's] passes," Forsberg said. "I don't know how he made them happen, but all four goals were just tee-ups and I finished them off, obviously. But the last two I didn't have to do too much."

Nick Cousins scored on a backhand from the slot at 7:15 of the third period for the 6-0 final.
"It was nice to see [Saros] be able to get rewarded," Hynes said. "I think he had to work for it. There were some stretches in the game, particularly in the second, when they got a little bit of momentum. They made a push."
NOTES:Forsberg has scored 188 goals and has 212 assists in 510 games in 10 seasons with the Predators. … Nashville scored two goals in a span of nine seconds or less for the fourth time in its history and second against Columbus (eight seconds, Jan. 21, 2006). … Granlund also had four assists in a 4-3 win at the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 11. He has scored 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in his past 10 games. … Predators forward Ryan Johansen had an assist and has scored nine points (one goal, eight assists) in a six-game point streak. … Saros has 15 NHL shutouts. … Nashville recalled forward Michael McCarron from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.