The Florida Panthers are set to face the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, hoping to end a three-game losing streak. The match will take place at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, as part of a back-to-back series. The Panthers currently hold a record of 30 wins, 28 losses, and 3 overtime losses, leaving them 10 points away from the playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Panthers’ Recent Struggles
In their last outing, the Panthers suffered a 5-1 defeat against the New Jersey Devils, following a close 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders. Anton Lundell scored the only goal for Florida in that match, marking his 200th career point in the NHL.
“We’re in a tough spot,” said forward Carter Verhaeghe. “We’re just trying to focus on what we can build and ways we can get better.” The Panthers are committed to taking it one game at a time as they pursue playoff contention.
Daniil Tarasov in Goal
Daniil Tarasov is set to start in net for the Panthers against his former team. He has an 8-9-2 record this season, complemented by a .903 save percentage. Head coach Paul Maurice has refrained from confirming any lineup changes as the trade deadline approaches.
Blue Jackets’ Playoff Push
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are performing well, with a record of 31 wins, 21 losses, and 8 overtime losses. They are just three points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Recently, the Blue Jackets have been on a roll, going 8-1-1 in their last ten games, including a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators.
Key Players for the Blue Jackets
- Zach Werenski leads the team in scoring with 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists).
- Kirill Marchenko is the top forward with 51 points (22 goals, 29 assists).
- Charlie Coyle has recently found his form with 21 points in the last 21 games.
Previous Meeting
This will be the second meeting between the Panthers and Blue Jackets this season. In an earlier matchup on December 7, the Panthers emerged victorious in a thrilling game that ended 7-6, overcoming multiple deficits.
“That was a crazy game,” Verhaeghe reflected. “There’s definitely some things on the power play we took from it.”
Game Details
The matchup is set for Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. ET, at Nationwide Arena. Fans can catch the action on various channels, including WSFL, WHDT, and streaming on PanthersPlus.TV.
Final Thoughts
As the Panthers prepare to face the Blue Jackets, the outcome could significantly impact both teams’ standings. Will the Panthers end their losing streak, or will the Blue Jackets continue their playoff pursuit?
