Three things that stood out as the Blue Jackets found their winning formula on Tuesday night

The Blue Jackets ran into a scrappy opponent last night. The Nashville Predators brought everything they had, and pushed right up until the final horn at Nationwide Arena. But the home team stood strong, and came away with a vital two points.

The best adjective to describe last night's game: weird. Nashville played the entire thing with a shortened bench, having traded center Michael McCarron just before the game-and then forward Cole Smith during the game.

Smith would play one shift for all of three seconds, before spending the rest of the night stapled to the bench. CBJ color analyst Jody Shelley mentioned during the broadcast that Smith had told former teammate Mathieu Olivier about the trade, which wasn't formally announced until after the game.

The Blue Jackets also played without some bodies last night. Boone Jenner (maintenance, lower body) and Zach Werenski (illness) were not in the lineup, leaving two gaping holes and testing the depth put in place by Don Waddell.

The result should have honestly been expected. We saw a sloppy game where most of the goals were far from pretty. But, the important thing to take away here is that the good guys earned two points. That's really all that matters at this time of the year. Here are three things that stood out.

1. Center depth pays off.

All three Blue Jackets goals last night were scored by centers. Adam Fantilli picked up the opening goal, scoring in his fourth straight game. This one came off of a nifty passing play, with Kirill Marchenko snapping the puck over to Fantilli, leaving him with an open net and plenty of time to dust the puck off before shooting.

Sean Monahan picked up the tying goal early in the third period, with another center (Charlie Coyle) streaking to the net on an odd man rush while shorthanded. Then, Coyle would net the game winner, with the puck deflecting in off of his skate.

This is the time of year where the games really start to tighten up. Offense is going to be hard to come by. The Blue Jackets having three big, skilled centers like this is quite a luxury. They can get to the middle and all three are skilled enough to score.

The Jackets are going to need these guys to show up every single night down the stretch, if they want to play in the postseason.

2. Defense is still an issue.

It was mentioned in the broadcast several times: this team still isn't mean enough in front of their own net. Last night, that was very evident, as the Predators had no trouble going to the front of the net and creating havoc.

Both of their goals were the direct result of guys being left unmarked in front of Jet Greaves. On the first one, two Preds had inside positioning on the defensemen for the Blue Jackets. They were free to whack away until the puck squirted into the net to tie the game.

That was the case on the go-ahead goal late in the second period, as well. Same scenario, same result: two Preds forwards with inside position, hacking away at the pads of Greaves.

I know this is an area of focus for Rick Bowness. They want to clean this exact play up. Hopefully, they can figure it out. There is no reason why this team should be getting pushed around in front of their own net.

3. Cole Sillinger showed us how good he can be.

After the game, Kirill Marchenko handed the Donkey to Cole Sillinger:

I knew why right away. Sillinger did not show up on the scoresheet, but he was all over the ice last night. In a game where he played opposite Ryan O'Reilly, I thought he showed a lot of the same characteristics in his game. That's a big compliment.

The biggest compliment, however: being handed the Donkey in a game where you didn't factor into the scoring. Marchy mentions giving it to the player who worked hard all game. When the guys on your bench notice you playing that way, it's a really good thing.

There was one shift in the third period where he lost his stick, but out-muscled Roman Josi to help the team clear the puck. Then, seconds later (new stick in hand), he went down the ice and almost scored. That's the player the Blue Jackets hoped they were getting when they drafted him.

The key for Cole is doing this consistently. The offense will come, but even if it does not; playing the way he played last night is going to lead to a very long and fruitful career for #4. This is the kind of guy that helps you win tight games like this.

Bonus takeaway: that Dmitri Voronkov prank.

This was funny. I don't care how important the games are, there is always time to have fun. The vibes around this team are pretty good right now:

The Jackets have now won 9 of their last 12 games. They probably need to win at least 14 of the final 22, if they want to guarantee a playoff spot. Last night definitely will not be the last gritty effort required by this team to do that.