Panthers (2-0-0 4P) at Blue Jackets (2-2-2 6P)
- WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
- ON THE TUBE: FOX Sports Florida, Fox Sports Ohio
- ON THE DIAL: 560 WQAM (D/B), 640 WMEN (PB), 1370 WAXE (TC), Thunder 100.3 (Keys)
- SOCIALS: #FlaPanthers, #CBJ, #FLAvsCBJ, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook
- ENEMY INTEL: Jackets Cannon
- FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 1 of 8
- LAST MEETING: @CBJ 1, FLA 0 (OT) – (Recap) – 2/4/2020
- NEXT MEETING: January 28, 2021
- PROJECTED STARTERS: Bobrovsky (1-0-0 .882/ 3.82 0SO) vs Korpisalo (1-1-1 .935/ 2.34 0SO)
- PLAYER STATS: Florida / Columbus/
Scouting Report
Having played just two games this season due to postponements, the Florida Panthers (5th in Central Division) are returning to action with a trip to Ohio, where the local Columbus Blue Jackets (2nd in Central) remain following a win against reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay.
Two games in the new season, and the Florida Panthers (2-0-0) have started the 2020-21 campaign with a 100% record after kicking things off with two consecutive home victories against Chicago, first beating the Blackhawks 5-2 at BB&T Center on Jan. 17 before grabbing a 5-4 overtime triumph two days later. Jonathan Huberdeau (1 goal, 4 points this year) picked up a team-high three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in the first outing, while Frank Vatrano (1 goal, 1 point) buried the winner on Jan. 19, finding the back of the net with a one-timer at 2:50 of the extra session. Patric Hornqvist (4 points), who was traded to Florida by the Pittsburgh Penguins in September last year, leads the Cats with three goals this season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-2) ended a two-game losing run (0-0-2), but still extended their point streak to four fixtures (2-0-2) after beating the Tampa Bay Lightning with a count of 5-2 at Nationwide Arena on Saturday. Playing just three hours following a trade with the Winnipeg Jets, which included top-line center Pierre-Luc Dubois being exchanged for Patrik Laine, the Jackets scored three times in the first period after the Bolts opened the scoring just over four minutes into the game, adding further two markers, including an empty-netter, in the final third. Nick Foligno (3 goals, 3 points this year), Mikhail Grigorenko (1 goal, 2 points), Vladislav Gavrikov (1 goal, 1 point), Zach Werenski (1 goal, 1 point) and Eric Robinson (1 goal, 2 points) all lit the lamp for Columbus.
Full preview at Winners & Whiners
Tuesday in the Central (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances):
- CHICAGO (2-3-1 5P) at NASHVILLE (2-3-0 4P) 8 p.m.
- DETROIT (2-4-0 4P) at DALLAS (2-0-0 4P) 8:30 p.m./
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