The Columbus Blue Jackets enter this matchup against the Florida Panthers looking to break a six-game losing streak against their divisional rivals. The Blue Jackets have struggled this season, with a record of 22 wins, 31 losses, and 6 overtime losses as of March 6, 2025. Their inconsistent performances have kept them near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, and they now face the challenge of taking on one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams on the road. If they hope to compete with Florida, Columbus will need to bring a complete 60-minute effort and tighten up their defensive play. Offensively, the Blue Jackets have had difficulty finding consistent goal production. They are averaging just 2.7 goals per game, ranking in the bottom third of the NHL in scoring. While Johnny Gaudreau continues to be the focal point of their offense, leading the team with 21 goals and 38 assists, his supporting cast has been underwhelming. Boone Jenner has provided secondary scoring with 18 goals, but overall, the Blue Jackets lack the firepower necessary to compete with high-scoring teams like the Panthers. Their power play has been another area of concern, operating at just 17.2% efficiency, one of the lowest percentages in the league. Without an improved effort from their special teams, Columbus will struggle to generate momentum in this matchup. On the defensive side, Columbus has experienced significant struggles. They have allowed an average of 3.6 goals per game, one of the worst marks in the NHL. Defensive breakdowns, poor puck management, and an inability to clear traffic in front of their net have been persistent issues. The Blue Jackets’ blue line has been a weak point all season, as injuries and inconsistent play have prevented them from finding a reliable defensive structure. Zach Werenski remains their most talented defenseman, contributing on both ends of the ice, but he has not had enough support from the rest of the defensive corps. Adam Boqvist and Jake Bean have shown flashes of potential but have struggled with defensive coverage and positioning. Goaltending has been another area of concern for Columbus. Elvis Merzļikins has had an up-and-down season, posting a .902 save percentage and a goals-against average of 3.25. Backup Daniil Tarasov has also been inconsistent, which has put added pressure on the team’s defensive unit. The goaltenders have been forced to face a high volume of shots due to the team’s inability to limit scoring chances, making it difficult for them to steal games. If Columbus hopes to upset Florida, they will need a strong goaltending performance, as the Panthers’ offense is one of the most potent in the league. Looking at their recent form, the Blue Jackets have covered the spread in just two of their last five games, highlighting their inconsistency. Their road struggles have been even more concerning, as they have covered the spread in only 8 of 20 away games this season. Meanwhile, the Panthers have covered the spread in 11 of their 20 home games, making this a tough matchup for Columbus from a betting perspective. To have a chance in this game, Columbus will need to play a disciplined style, limiting penalties and capitalizing on any scoring opportunities they get. They must also improve their defensive zone coverage to prevent Florida’s top forwards from dictating play. Players like Gaudreau and Jenner will need to lead by example, and the Blue Jackets’ goaltending must rise to the occasion. Ultimately, Columbus enters this game as a significant underdog. Their struggles on both ends of the ice make it difficult to envision them pulling off an upset against a Panthers team that has been dominant at home. However, if they can find a way to contain Florida’s offensive attack and get a strong performance from their goaltender, they may have a chance to keep the game competitive and potentially steal a much-needed win on the road.