The Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t just winning; they’re dominating the transition game. Since the trade deadline, newcomer Conor Garland has been a revelation, scoring four goals in his first three games. The engine, however, remains Zach Werenski, who is putting up historic numbers for a defenseman with 68 points and a record-breaking point streak.
Columbus has found a reliability in net they haven’t seen in years. Jet Greaves (20-12-8, .907 SV%) has become the go-to starter, providing the “big save” ability that allows the Jackets’ young forwards like Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko to take risks offensively. They already beat Florida 4-2 just last week, and they look poised to repeat that performance.
The Panthers are a shell of the team that went on deep playoff runs recently. With Aleksander Barkov and Seth Jones on IR, and Brad Marchand sidelined with a lower-body injury, the depth is being tested to the limit. While Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe are still elite, the secondary scoring has vanished.
Apart from the numerous injuries, the biggest concern for the Panthers is Sergei Bobrovsky. Usually a wall this time of year, “Bob” has struggled with an uncharacteristic .876 save percentage this season. Against a Columbus team that ranks in the top 5 in shots on goal, a shaky goaltender is a recipe for disaster.
Key Betting Trends
- Columbus is 6-1-3 in their last ten games.
- Florida is 4-6-0 in their last ten games, coming off two wins.
- The teams have played twice this season, with Columbus coming out on top just last week (4-2) while Florida won back in December (7-6 OT)
The Prediction
The Blue Jackets have the momentum, the health, and the superior goaltending at this exact moment. Florida is playing a “heavy” game to compensate for their missing stars, but Columbus’s speed on the wings (Garland/Marchenko) will likely be too much for the Panthers’ slowed-down defensive corps. Expect Werenski to lead the way as the Jackets continue their push for a top-three spot in the Metro.
Final Score Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Florida Panthers 2
Model Projections
- Score Projection: Columbus 4 — Florida 2
- Win Probability: Columbus 52%, Florida 48%
