NASHVILLE – Craig Smith scored two goals in the third period, and the Nashville Predators held off the Blue Jackets 4-3 Thursday night in the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.
Columbus coach John Tortorella left the team before the game, returning home for a personal matter that will cause him to miss All-Star weekend. His assistants filled in for him, but the Blue Jackets dropped to 5-7-0 since their 16-game winning streak. They trail Washington by 4 points in the Metropolitan Division standings.
Brandon Saad gave Columbus a 1-0 lead in the first period. Zach Werenski and Ryan Murray scored in the third as the Blue Jackets tried to rally.
Calle Jarnkrok and Harry Zolnierczyk also scored for Nashville, and Mike Fisher had two assists.
Columbus pulled goalie Sergei Bobrovsky late, but Pekka Rinne made save after save for Nashville. The Blue Jackets’ last shot came after the horn sounded.
Tortorella said in a statement a personal matter requires his immediate attention, forcing him to leave temporarily. He says he did not make the decision lightly and hopes to be back with the team next week.
He had been set to coach the Metropolitan Division at the All-Star Game in Los Angeles this weekend.