Anisimov, Bobrovsky lead Blue Jackets past Preds

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard (58) collides with Nashville Predators forward Nick Spaling (13) in the first period.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard (58) collides with Nashville Predators forward Nick Spaling (13) in the first period.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Artem Anisimov scored with 6:25 remaining in the third period and Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators today.

It was Bobrovsky’s third shutout of the season for Columbus, which has won four of five.

With the game still scoreless, James Wisniewski sent a pass from the left circle to Anisimov at the left faceoff dot. Anisimov carried the puck to the goal line before cutting toward the Nashville net and sliding a backhander by Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne just inside the far post.

The Predators have lost four in a row and seven of their last eight.

Making his third consecutive start after being sidelined since late October with an infection in his hip, Rinne made 35 saves.

Rinne faced just five shots in the first, but with 5:45 remaining in the opening frame, he denied Ryan Johansen’s wrist shot attempt from the right side off of a 2-on-1 break.

Midway through the second, Rinne got his blocker on Boone Jenner’s shot from the right circle.

Nashville dominated the shots on goal in the first period, outshooting the Blue Jackets 14-5. The tables turned in the middle frame when Columbus put 15 shots on Rinne, and the Predators managed just four on Bobrovsky.

The Blue Jackets had the shot advantage in the third as well, 16-10.

The Predators had a chance to tie late in the third, but Mike Fisher’s shot from the slot rang off the far post with less than 30 seconds remaining.

NOTES: Columbus made their only visit to Nashville for the 2013-14 season. The Blue Jackets and Predators were both members of the Central Division before Columbus moved to the Eastern Conference before the start of this season. ... Nashville was just 1-4-0 on its five-game homestand coming out of the Olympic break. The Predators are on the road for their next three. ... The Predators have not scored a power-play goal in their last four games.