| MATCHUP | Columbus Blue Jackets | Florida Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 33-21-10 | 32-29-3 |
| Where | Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL | |
| When | Thursday, March 12, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
In this article we will formulate a Blue Jackets vs Panthers prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, March 12th at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 33-21-10 this year after they defeated the Lightning by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Columbus had their lead cut to 3-2 late in the second period, but they scored the only two goals in the third to seal the win. The Blue Jackets out shot TB by a total of 32-18, won 43.6% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Garland (2), Marchenko, Fabbro, and Provorov, while Merzlikins stopped 16 out of 18 shots, which was an .889 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Columbus lost to the Kings by a score of 5-4 and the Mammoth by a score of 5-4. The Blue Jackets have won four of their last six games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 76 points. Columbus has scored 3.19 goals per game and they have allowed 3.19 goals against per game, while also going 20.5% on the power play and 78.0% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 20 goals and 48 assists, while Kirill Marchenko has added 24 goals and 32 assists. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Jet Greaves, who is 20-12-8 with a 2.69 goals against average and an .907 save percentage this year.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are 32-29-3 this season after they defeated the Red Wings by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Florida trailed 3-2 in the third period, but they scored two goals in the last 1:30 to steal the win. The Panthers recorded 28 shots on goal, won 48.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Florida got goals from Hinostroza, Verhaeghe (2), and Mikkola, while Tarasov stopped 25 out of 28 shots, which was an .893 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Florida defeated the Red Wings again by a score of 3-1, but lost to the Blue Jackets by a score of 4-2 before that. The Panthers have lost four of their last six games and they are currently seventh in the Atlantic standings with 67 points. The Panthers have scored 2.98 goals per game and they have allowed 3.31 goals against per game, while also going 19.5% on the power play and 82.2% on the penalty kill this season. Sam Reinhart has led Florida with 28 goals and 31 assists, while Brad Marchand has added 27 goals and 27 assists. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 23-19-1 with a 3.08 goals against average and an .876 save percentage this season.
Why the Florida Panthers will win
- The Panthers have won each of their last 11 night games against the Blue Jackets following a win.
- The Blue Jackets have lost 10 of their last 11 night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last eight night games against the Blue Jackets following a home win.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five night games at Amerant Bank Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games at Amerant Bank Arena when trailing after the first period.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Panthers have lost each of their last four games as favorites.
- The underdogs have won eight of the Panthers’ last 10 games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Panthers’ last six games.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in 11 of their last 12 games as favorites following a home win.
- The Blue Jackets have won the third period in each of their last four night games following a road win.
Total Goals Facts
- Five of the Panthers’ last six games following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last 16 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last six games.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Sam Reinhart has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Panthers’ last 10 games as favorites against the Blue Jackets.
- Sam Reinhart has scored the last goal in three of the Panthers’ last four home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Matthew Tkachuk has scored a goal in five of his last six home appearances against the Blue Jackets.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Kirill Marchenko has scored a goal in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Blue Jackets vs Panthers Prediction
Florida comes into this matchup after getting back to back wins over Detroit, but they have allowed four goals or more in three of their last five games. The Panthers are 17-14-3 at home this year, while the Blue Jackets are 16-13-3 on the road. Columbus has dropped two of their last three games, but both losses did come in overtime. The Blue Jackets have scored at least four goals in four straight games and they are coming off of a great win on the road against Tampa Bay. Take Columbus to get another win here.