Monday, December 22, 2014 at 7:00 PM ET

Nationwide Arena in Columbus

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On Monday, the top defense of the Nashville Predators will be going up against the struggling offense of the Columbus Blue Jackets. In their first game against each other this season, the Predators beat the Blue Jackets 2-1 at home.

The Predators allowed the Minnesota Wild to come back against them on Saturday, but they came away with the 6-5 shootout win in the end. Defenseman Shea Weber was their top player in the game by playing solid defense and finishing with two assists.

Even after giving up five goals on Saturday, the Predators still have the top defense in the league by giving up just over two goals per game. Young center Filip Forsberg has been their top offensive player by scoring 12 goals and assisting on 18 others. Goalie Pekka Rinne has a 20-6-1 record this season with a .937 save percentage and a 1.76 GAA.

The Blue Jackets have now won eight out of their last nine games after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in the shootout. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was excellent in that win, stopping 39 of the 41 shots that came his way.

Through 32 games this season, the Blue Jackets have only been able to score about 2.5 goals per game, but they do have one of the best power plays in the league. Left wing Nick Foligno has been their most consistent player by notching 16 goals and 14 assists.

Nashville Predators Betting Trends

Nashville Predators are 21-10-0 Against the Spread

Nashville Predators are 8-18-0 against the Over/Under

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends

Columbus Blue Jackets are 14-18-0 Against the Spread

Columbus Blue Jackets are 15-15-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Nashville Predators

12/20/14 D Anton Volchenkov Suspension expected to miss 4 games
12/20/14 LW James Neal Illness "?" Monday vs Columbus
12/19/14 C Paul Gaustad Upper Body out indefinitely
12/12/14 LW Taylor Beck Concussion out indefinitely

Columbus Blue Jackets

12/20/14 C Boone Jenner Back expected to miss 1-2 months
12/19/14 C Brian Gibbons Knee expected to miss 2-3 weeks
12/13/14 LW Scott Hartnell Finger expected to miss 2 weeks
12/02/14 C Mark Letestu Groin expected to miss 6 weeks
12/01/14 C Artem Anisimov Tricep expected to miss 2-3 months
11/06/14 D Ryan Murray Knee out indefinitely
10/05/14 RW Nathan Horton Back out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Nashville

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