Gameday 7: Florida Panthers at Columbus Blue Jackets

Image: Todd Little

The Florida Panthers (2-2-2) will look to snap a two-game losing streak when they do battle with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-0) tonight as part of the NHL’s Frozen Frenzy at Nationwide Arena.

Florida returned to the road yesterday and couldn’t quite keep pace with the Buffalo Sabres, falling 5-3 to their divison rival. Anton Lundell scored his first of the season (barely) and Sam Reinhart got his first two, both on the power play as the Panthers tied the score three times before the Sabres pulled away with a pair of third period goals. Jacob Markström started the game, but did not return for the second. Akira Schmid surrendered three goals on 21 shots in relief.

After opening the season with a three-game homestand that saw them win twice, the Blue Jackets played a one-off road game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday and were beaten 5-3. Valeri Nichushkin, Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger scored for the Blue Jackets. Jet Greaves stopped 24 of 28 shots faced, yielding the game-winning goal to Jonatan Berggren 9:33 into the third period. Number two man Cam Talbot will get the call tonight.

WHEN: 6:15 p.m. ET
WHERE: Nationwide Arena – Columbus, OH
ON THE TUBE: Scripps, CBJNHL, CBJHN
ON THE DIAL: 104.3 WQAM (D/B), 106.3 ESPN (PB), Thunder 100.3 (Keys)
SOCIALS: #TimeToHunt, #CBJ, #FLAvsCBJ, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook
ENEMY INTEL: Jackets Cannon
FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 1 of 3
LAST MEETING: @FLA 2, CBJ 1 (OT) (Recap) – 3/12/26
NEXT MEETING: November 10, 2026
PROJECTED STARTERS: Florida: Schmid (0-1-1 .868 / 4.14 0SO) Columbus: Talbot (1-0-0 .909 / 1.85 0SO)
PLAYER STATS: Florida / Columbus