Game Preview: Blue Jackets Open Season With Jet Greaves In Net, Face Predators In Nashville

It's here!

The Columbus Blue Jackets begin the 2025-26 regular season Thursday night when they're in Nashville to face the Predators.

The Blue Jackets snuck up on a lot of teams last year, as they were predicted to finish amongst the league's worst teams and instead finished just one game out of a playoff spot. Columbus won't be sneaking up on anyone this year, as the league is well-aware of the franchise-record 267 goals scored during the 2024-25 campaign. They're also aware that the Blue Jackets are still a young, on-the-rise team who are intently focused on ending a five-year playoff drought.

There are several new faces to look for, too, as Charlie Coyle, Isac Lundestrom, and Miles Wood will make their official debuts with the club tonight. All three will start on the bottom six.

Here's what else to know when the Blue Jackets begin season #25:

• RE: PREDS
  The argument could be made — with ease — that the Predators were the most disappointing team in the NHL last season. After going "all in" and adding players like Steven Stamkos Jonathan Marchessault for what they thought would be a run at the Stanley Cup, Nashville finished the season at 30-44-8 with a measly 68 points, which ranked third-worst in the league ahead of only the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks. There weren't a ton of changes made during the offseason on the ice for the Preds, and they'll certainly be better this season. Nashville and head coach Andrew Brunette will look to quickly right the ship of last year in front of their home fans.
   
• IS THE DEFENSE IMPROVED?
  The Blue Jackets are rolling with the same defense as they did at the end of last season, but the organization has been quick to point out that Erik Gudbranson missed significant time with an injury last season and that talented young defenseman Denton Mateychuk wasn't with the club until December. A full season with both of them is what the team hopes is a catalyst for a better blue line. Thursday will give us our first glimpse at just how true that may be.
   
• 199 FOR THE CAP'N
  Boone Jenner's next goal will be the 200th of his NHL career. The Columbus captain had 383 points in 741 career games.
   
• LINEUPS & PROJECTIONS
  Head coach Dean Evason told sports radio 97.1 The Fan on Thursday morning that Jet Greaves will get the start, and he'll be backed up by Elvis Merzlikins. Greaves dazzled last season, ending the season with a record of 7-2-2, a goals against average of just 1.91, and an outstanding .938 save percentage.
  
  Forward Yegor Chinakhov and defenseman Jake Christiansen are the health scratches, as no player is beginning the regular season with an injury.
  
  Here are the complete lineup projections: