The Florida Panthers (30-28-3) limp into tonight’s meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-21-8) at Nationwide Arena looking to halt a three-game losing streak.
Fading Florida dropped a 5-1 decision to the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Tuesday. Anton Lundell collected his 200th NHL point by potting the Panthers’ only goal, which tied the score before the Devils pulled away in the second period. Evan Rodriguez and Uvis Balisnkis drew the assists. Segei Bobrovksy delivered a solid start, finishing with 28 saves on 31 shots faced.
The Blue Jackets reached the 70-point mark with a 3-2 comeback win on home ice over the Nashville Predators. Adam Fantilli opened the scoring; Sean Monahan notched a short-handed goal to tie it; and Charlie Coyle got the game-winner 6:07 into the third period. Jet Greaves stopped 21 shots to backstop Columbus, who remained three points behind Boston in the playoff chase, to the key victory.
- WHEN: 7 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
- ON THE TUBE: Scripps, FDSNOH
- ON THE DIAL: 560 WQAM (D/B), 106.3 West Palm (PB), Thunder 100.3 (Keys)
- SOCIALS: #TimeToHunt, #CBJ, #FLAvsCBJ, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook
- ENEMY INTEL: The Cannon
- FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 2 of 3 (1-0)
- LAST MEETING: @FLA 7, CBJ 6 (OT) (Recap) – 12/6/2025
- NEXT MEETING: March 12, 2026
- PROJECTED STARTERS: Florida: Tarasov (8-9-2 .903 / 2.79 0SO) Columbus: Greaves (19-12-7 .909 / 2.65 2SO)
- PLAYER STATS: Florida / Columbus
Thursday in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances)
- TORONTO (27-24-11 65P) at New York Rangers (23-29-8 54P) 7 p.m.
- BUFFALO (36-19-6 78P) at Pittsburgh (31-16-13 75P) 7 p.m.
- BOSTON (34-21-5 73P) at Nashville (27-26-8 62P) 8 p.m.
- TAMPA BAY (38-17-4 80P) at Winnipeg (24-26-10 58P) 8 p.m.
- OTTAWA (29-22-9 67P) at Calgary (24-29-7 55P) 9 p.m.
Idle: DET (77P), MON (75P)