Florida Panthers (38-21-3) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (30-23-8)
Game Info: Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Amerant Bank Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Florida Panthers -258 / Columbus Blue Jackets +210 — Over/Under: 6
In this article, we will formulate a Blue Jackets vs Panthers prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, March 6th 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 30-23-8 this year after they lost to Tampa Bay by a score of 6-2 in their last game. Columbus cut the deficit to 2-1 at the end of the first period, but they allowed four of the last five goals in the game for the loss. The Blue Jackets were outshot by a total of 40-33, won 47% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Columbus got both of their goals from Werenski, while Merzlikins stopped 34 out of 39 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Blue Jackets defeated the Red Wings in back-to-back games by scores of 5-3 and 5-2. Columbus has won four of their last five games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 68 points. Columbus has scored 3.33 goals per game and they have allowed 3.30 goals against per game, while also going 21.3% on the power play and 75.2% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 20 goals, 46 assists, and 216 shots on goal, while Kirill Marchenko has added 24 goals, 36 assists, and 156 shots on goal. Elvis Merzlikins is 22-15-4 with a 3.02 goals against average and an .896 save percentage this year.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are 38-21-3 this season after they defeated Tampa Bay by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Florida saw their lead cut to 2-1 early in the third period, but they played solid defense the rest of the way for the win. The Panthers recorded 29 shots on goal, won 51.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Florida got both of their goals from Barkov, while Bobrovsky stopped 28 out of 29 shots in the game.
Prior to that win, the Panthers defeated the Flames by a score of 3-0 and the Oilers by a score of 4-3. Florida has won four games in a row and they are currently battling Toronto for first in the Atlantic standings with 79 points. Florida has scored 3.26 goals per game and they have allowed 2.77 goals against per game, while also going 23% on the power play and 80.3% on the penalty kill this season. Sam Reinhart has led Florida with 31 goals, 33 assists, and 166 shots on goal, while Aleksander Barkov has added 16 goals, 40 assists, and 115 shots on goal. Sergei Bobrovsky is 26-13-2 with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage this year.
Why the Panthers will beat the Blue Jackets
- The Panthers have won each of their last 10 night games against the Blue Jackets following a win.
- The Blue Jackets have lost nine of their last 10 night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last seven 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 four night games at Amerant Bank Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the second period in each of their last four games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Panthers’ last five games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 12 games as road underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Panthers last 11 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Aaron Ekblad has recorded at least one assist in each of the Panthers’ last four games as favorites.
- Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least one point in each of his 11 previous appearances with his team as a favorite against the Blue Jackets.
- Matthew Tkachuk has scored at least one goal in each of his last six appearances.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kent Johnson has scored a goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Kent Johnson has recorded an assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games as underdogs.
- Kent Johnson has recorded at least one point in each of the Blue Jackets’ last nine games as road underdogs.
Blue Jackets vs Panthers Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup playing pretty well over the last few games, but Columbus is coming off of a road loss to Tampa Bay. The Blue Jackets are 10-17-4 on the road this year, while the Panthers are 20-10-2 at home. Florida has won four games in a row and they have allowed two goals or fewer in four of their last five games. The Panthers are still without Matthew Tkachuk, but that hasn’t slowed them down at all. I really like how Columbus has played this year, but Florida is very difficult to deal with when they are playing defense like this. Take the Panthers -1.5 here.