"If there was little margin for error before, there is none now.

The Blue Jackets, downtrodden by their perpetual last-place standing, damaged by injuries and done in by penalties, were no match for a red-hot division rival last night.

Nashville's Mike Fisher scored twice, the Predators scored on two of five power plays, and the Blue Jackets lost 4-1 in Bridgestone Arena.

It was the final game of the season series. Nashville won five of six.

"We are a last-place team," defenseman Marc Methot said. "We can't take five minor penalties and expect to win a game. It's not going to happen.""