NHL Odds: Panthers at Blue Jackets

For the past three seasons, the Florida Panthers won the Eastern Conference championship to reach the Stanley Cup Final, winning the most recent two NHL titles. However, this year, Florida is likely to miss the playoffs.

Indeed, the Panthers are in a tough spot, fighting desperately to stay alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race amid a frustrating skid and an approaching NHL trade deadline. As the Panthers are the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, their current struggles are even more notable and disappointing.

The Panthers have been in a sharp decline, going 2-7-0 in their last nine games entering this week. Many losses have been tight, including several one-goal decisions that sting extra in a playoff push. As a result, the skid has created a demoralizing atmosphere, with frustrating one-goal losses piling up and momentum hard to regain.

On the other hand, the Columbus Blue Jackets are playing meaningful hockey late in the season, a far cry from their rebuild years. Their offense and home-ice advantage give them an edge, though the penalty kill and third-period collapses remain vulnerabilities. Gamblers see them as a dark horse in the Metro/wild-card race, with Marchenko's emergence and Werenski's potential return key factors

Panthers at Blue Jackets Preview

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Columbus Blue Jackets will host the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. Faceoff time is 7 p.m. ET with television coverage on ESPN+.

Public Betting Odds Factors

• Most gamblers lean toward the Blue Jackets and are impressed with their resurgence under head coach Rick Bowness.

• Sharp NHL betting gamblers are impressed with Columbus's stronger recent form, home advantage, and playoff positioning.

• The betting market is turned off with Florida's ongoing skid and desperation ahead of the trade deadline

Panthers at Blue Jackets Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider 

• Columbus is in a near playoff position and plays well at home.

• Florida is in free fall and crisis, rapidly losing confidence.

• Home-ice motivation and Florida's recent road woes make CBJ the preferable choice.

• Florida is on its third road game in five days and will have unavoidable fatigue.

• Florida’s inconsistent goal scoring and weak defense are a lethal combination.

Panthers at Blue Jackets Prime Best Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets

Panthers at Blue Jackets Betting Tips

Florida Panthers 

• Florida ranks 19th in goals scored and 17th in power-play efficiency.

• The Panthers rank 25th in goals against and 8th in penalty killing.

• The Panthers are 30-27-3 straight up and 35-24 over/under the total.

• Florida is 14^th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.

• Florida is 12 points behind the Boston Bruins for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

• Florida has covered two out of their last nine games.

• Florida has gone under the total in two of its previous ten matchups.

Columbus Blue Jackets

• Columbus has NHL rankings of 17^th for goals scored and 19^th for power play efficiency.

• The Blue Jackets have NHL rankings of 22^nd for goals against and 24^th for penalty killing.

• The Blue Jackets 30-31-8 are straight up and 28-27 over/under the total.

• Columbus is 10^th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.

• Columbus is three points behind the Boston Bruins for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

• Columbus has covered the NHL spread in eight out of their last ten games.

• Columbus has gone under the total in three of its previous five matchups.

Panthers at Blue Jackets Head-to-Head and Key Stats

• Florida lost three of its last four away games.

• The Panthers went over the total in 14 of their last 18 away games.

• The Blue Jackets got the cash in six of their last seven home games.

• The Blue Jackets went under the total in five of their last eight home games.