Sullivan's Hat Trick Helps Preds to Win

Longtime Blue Jackets nemesis Steve Sullivan had three goals for the seventh time in his career, leading the Nashville Predators past Columbus 5-3 on Monday night.

In just 39 career games against the Blue Jackets, Sullivan has 16 goals and 27 assists — more points than against any other opponent in his 797-game career.

Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Jones also had goals for the Predators, who have won all three meetings this season, the first two by matching 4-3 shootout scores.

Antoine Vermette, Jakub Voracek and R.J. Umberger scored for Columbus, which has won only two of its last 13 games.

The Predators have dominated the Blue Jackets throughout the nine-year series, going 8-2-2 in their last 12 visits to Columbus in addition to winning their last 13 at home.