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Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets: Preview, Predictions and Picks for March 20, 2025

Updated on:
Mar 20, 2025 8:39 PM
The Florida Panthers, riding a two-game series lead, look to extend their winning streak against the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets are desperate to snap their losing skid, while the Panthers aim to capitalize on their strong road record. Can Columbus turn the tide on their home ice, or will Florida's momentum prove too much to overcome?
Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Current Odds

FLA
CBJ
Over
1.5
+650
Under
1.5
-588
FLA
-1.5
+1250
CBJ
+1.5
-2000
FLA
ML
-135
CBJ
ML
+160

Panthers vs Blue Jackets statistics

Stat Panthers Blue Jackets
Goals For per Game 3.19 3.19
Goals Against Average 2.71 3.31
Shots per Game 31.6 28.6
Shots Against per Game 26.6 29.6
Power Play Goals 49 30
Power Play Goals Against 38 45
Short Handed Goals 12 8
Short Handed Goals Against 0 0
Penalty Minutes 676 549
Power Play Percentage 24.1 19.2
Penalty Kill Percentage 81.2 75.5

Columbus Blue Jackets recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
3/17/25 vs New Jersey Devils L 2-1
3/15/25 vs New York Rangers L 4-0
3/13/25 vs Vegas Golden Knights L 4-0
3/11/25 @ New Jersey Devils L 5-3
3/9/25 @ New York Rangers W 7-3

Florida Panthers recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
3/16/25 @ New York Islanders L 4-2
3/15/25 @ Montreal Canadiens L 3-1
3/13/25 @ Toronto Maple Leafs W 3-2
3/11/25 @ Boston Bruins L 3-2
3/8/25 vs Buffalo Sabres W 4-0

Columbus Blue Jackets injuries

  • Jake Christiansen (D): Out
  • Owen Sillinger (C): Out
  • Kevin Labanc (RW): Injured Reserve

Florida Panthers injuries

  • Dmitry Kulikov (D): Out
  • Aaron Ekblad (D): Suspension
  • Brad Marchand (C): Out
  • Matthew Tkachuk (LW): Injured Reserve

Panthers vs Blue Jackets game info

Type Info
Venue Nationwide Arena
Location Columbus, OH
Puck drop Thu 7:00 PM

Panthers vs Blue Jackets predictions

The Florida Panthers are coming into this game with a hot streak, and let's talk about Sam Reinhart. This guy’s been lighting up the ice, netting 33 goals for the season so far. You can expect him to keep that momentum going, slicing through the Blue Jackets' defense with his agility on the puck. Meanwhile, there's Aleksander Barkov, leading in assists with 44, who's probably looking to set up some sweet plays. You know what they say, a great playmaker is key to a team’s success. So, with these star performances consistently happening, it’d be no surprise if both Reinhart and Barkov make some huge plays in this match.

Switching gears to the Columbus Blue Jackets, things might look a bit challenging, but there are bright spots for them too. Kirill Marchenko, with his 25 goals, is sure to test the Panthers' defense. After all, having a knack for finding the back of the net is a game-changer. On the blue line, there’s Zach Werenski, who’s doing a stellar job with 49 assists and tied for team points leader at 69. Can you imagine the impact he can have if he manages to fend off the Panthers' relentless offense while setting up his teammates for a chance at goal? That's the kind of thing Blue Jackets fans are counting on, hoping to break their current losing streak and make the play interesting.

That brings us to the big question: who’s walking away with the win? With the Panthers already having a 2-0 lead in the regular season series and given their firepower, they seem poised to extend that lead. Sure, Columbus has its stars, but on the balance of play and form, Florida seems a step ahead. Playing on home ice might give the Blue Jackets a morale boost, but the odds, currently showing Florida as favorites, suggest the Panthers have the edge. All things considered, if I had to place my bets, I'd say the Panthers might just skate out of Nationwide Arena with a victory in hand. What do you think? Could the Blue Jackets surprise us with a turnaround performance?

Columbus Blue Jackets

No
Columbus Blue Jackets
players

Florida Panthers

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