Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Tonight, the San Jose Sharks take on one of the surprise teams in the league, the Columbus Blue Jackets. Today, like every day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one,

A strong first two periods helped the Blue Jackets survive a third-period push from the Sharks before van Riemsdyk found the empty net.

They didn’t get to six goals, but the Blue Jackets did move into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference over the Boston Bruins by extending their season-high winning streak to six straight games Thursday at Nationwide Arena.

Watch the Game Highlights from Columbus Blue Jackets vs. San Jose Sharks, 01/16/2025