The Florida Panthers take a four-game losing streak into Nationwide Arena on Tuesday to face the Columbus Blue Jackets, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Florida sits at 9-7-2 and has dropped three straight, while Columbus enters at 7-8-0 after alternating wins and losses over its last five outings.
The Panthers already hold a 1-0 edge in the season series, and this Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets matchup gives both clubs a chance to find footing in crowded divisional races.
Florida Panthers Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Game Information
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
- TV/Streaming: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu
- Season series: Panthers lead 1-0
By The Numbers
- Goals scored: Panthers 56, Blue Jackets 38
- Points (goals+assists): Panthers 148, Blue Jackets 109
- Shots on goal: Panthers 531, Blue Jackets 387
- Shooting percentage: Panthers 10.5%, Blue Jackets 9.8%
- Goals against average: Panthers 3.06, Blue Jackets 3.13
- Save percentage: Panthers .885, Blue Jackets .895
- Power-play goals: Panthers 19, Blue Jackets 7
- Faceoff percentage: Blue Jackets 53.2%, Panthers 47.9%
- Penalty minutes: Panthers 292, Blue Jackets 126
Panthers Outlook
Florida has lost three consecutive games, falling 4-3 at Washington and 4-1 at Boston in its two most recent outings. The Panthers carry a 9-7-2 record and sit fifth in the Atlantic Division at 20 points, well behind division leader Boston’s 27. Despite the skid, Florida’s offense remains productive, with 56 goals scored and a 10.5% shooting clip that outpaces Columbus.
The power play has been a difference-maker, converting 19 times compared to just seven for the Blue Jackets. Jacob Markstrom is projected as the probable starting goalie for Florida, tasked with shoring up a defense that has allowed 55 goals and posted a .885 save percentage this season. Matthew Tkachuk leads the team with 26 points and 22 assists, while Brady Tkachuk paces Florida with 10 goals.
Florida’s injury list is significant. Aleksander Barkov remains on injured reserve with a left knee injury and a projected return date of Nov. 27, while Brad Marchand is also on IR with a left knee issue and is not expected back until Nov. 21. Jonah Gadjovich remains out following neck surgery with a projected return of Nov. 28, and Sandis Vilmanis is out with an undisclosed injury, targeting a Nov. 12 return.
Blue Jackets Outlook
Columbus enters at 7-8-0 and sits sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 14 points, the product of an inconsistent stretch that includes a 7-2 rout of Colorado and a 2-1 shootout win over Dallas sandwiched around three losses. The Blue Jackets have not suffered an overtime loss all season, going 0-0 in extra frames, but their 47 goals against and 3.13 goals-against average point to defensive issues that have kept them below .500.
Cam Talbot is projected as the probable starting goalie and brings a .895 save percentage into the matchup, the better mark between the two starters. Kent Johnson leads Columbus with eight goals and a team-high 16 points, while Zach Werenski paces the blue line with 12 assists. The Blue Jackets have won 53.2% of their faceoffs this season, a notable edge over Florida’s 47.9% clip.
Key Matchup
Florida’s power play, which has produced 19 goals on the season, faces a Columbus penalty kill that has already surrendered seven power-play goals against. If the Panthers can generate chances with the man advantage, it could offset a Florida defense that has given up 55 goals overall. On the other side, Columbus wins faceoffs at a 53.2% rate against a Florida team that sits below 50% at the dot, a possession edge that could help the Blue Jackets limit Florida’s shot volume, which leads the league gap between these two clubs at 531 to 387.
What To Watch
Florida is trying to snap a three-game losing streak while working around four significant injuries up front, including the long-term absences of Barkov and Marchand. Columbus is looking to build on its split results over the last five games and climb out of the bottom half of the Metropolitan Division standings. Both teams are working with projected starting goalies in Markstrom and Talbot, and neither club has significant separation in the standings with much of the season still to play.
Florida’s recent form includes a 4-3 loss to Washington detailed in this recap of the Capitals-Panthers game, following a preview available at Panthers vs. Capitals game information. The Panthers also fell to Detroit earlier in the stretch, covered in the Red Wings’ 5-3 win over Florida, and faced Winnipeg in a matchup previewed at the Jets-Panthers preview.
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