NHL makes postgame scoring correction after Columbus Blue Jackets' resounding win over Nashville Predators

The NHL made a postgame scoring adjustment after the Columbus Blue Jackets' 8–4 win against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday evening at Nationwide Arena. The adjustment, released through the league's public relations account on X, officially credited Jordan Oesterle with the fourth goal of Nashville, scored with assists by Cole Smith and Michael McCarron at 9:02 of the third period. Kirill Marchenko scored a hat trick and Sean Monahan contributed four points as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Nashville Predators 8-4.The goal had originally been left without officially confirmed assists at the end of the buzzer. The alteration provides Smith with his eighth assist on the season, with McCarron advancing to nine assists in 67 games.Even with the late-period scoring adjustment, the game was under Columbus' control right from the beginning. Kirill Marchenko had a tour-de-force performance with a four-point night, including his third career hat-trick in the NHL and an assist.Sean Monahan also played a crucial role with two goals and two assists, while rookie Adam Fantilli made a mark with two goals and an assist. “It's a 60-minute game. Tonight, we were ready to go off the hop and got some early ones,” Monahan said following the victory. “You've got to be at your best.”Nashville's defense struggled all night, giving up seven goals in the first two periods. Head coach Andrew Brunette cited costly errors and bad game management as major problems.“We just self-inflicted a little bit,” Brunette conceded. “Game management, shift management got us in trouble on three goals.” Also read: NHL community mourns loss of Mark “Trees” LaForest The win allowed Columbus to close in on an Eastern Conference wild-card position. The Blue Jackets (34-30-9, 77 points) are now two points behind the Montreal Canadiens (35-30-9, 79 points) for the final playoff position, while the Predators are now down four consecutive games and nine of their past 11. They're 27-40-8, third-to-last in the Western Conference, which all but rules them out of post-season contention.