Less than two months in the season, the Nashville Predators are already preparing for the playoffs.
Paul Kariya and Martin Erat each had a goal and an assist as the Predators - two points ahead of Detroit atop the Central Division - beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 Monday night. "Winning hockey games is our job. We want to improve our game. You want to keep improving and then when playoff time comes, you're ready," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said.
Tomas Vokoun lost his shutout bid when Jason Chimera scored with 15 seconds left but finished with 23 saves in his 10th win of the season. Scott Nichol also scored for Nashville, which has won 13 of 16.
"Really close," he said of the timing of Chimera's goal. "I'm not the kind of guy who's worried about shutouts. You'd rather not give up goals, but we got the win."
The Blue Jackets have dropped a season-high six straight. They entered with the fewest points (11) and goals scored (39) in the NHL and were nearly shut out for the third time in five contests
Kariya and Erat each score once, add assist as Predators down Jackets 3-1
11-21-2006, 12:11 AM
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