Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Pick & Prediction for 3/5

bangthebook nhl game preview

The Florida Panthers will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in an NHL regular season game. This game is set to happen at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+.

The Panthers, led by head coach Paul Maurice, are currently sitting with a record of 30-28-3. They are ranked 15th in the conference and 8th in the Eastern Atlantic Division. On the other side, the Blue Jackets, under head coach Rick Bowness, have a record of 31-21-8. They hold the 9th spot in the conference and 4th in the Eastern Metropolitan Division.

Panthers vs Blue Jackets Game Day Info

  • Sport: NHL
  • Teams: Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
  • Venue: Nationwide Arena
  • Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Florida Panthers +1.5 (-267), Columbus Blue Jackets -1.5 (+213), Over/Under 6.0

Florida Panthers Team Preview

The Florida Panthers have faced a tough stretch recently. They lost to the New Jersey Devils, 5-1. Anton Lundell scored the only goal for the Panthers in that game.

In their game against the New York Islanders, the Panthers fell short, losing 5-4. Sam Bennett made a big impact with two goals. Matthew Tkachuk also contributed with three assists.

When they played the Buffalo Sabres, the Panthers lost 3-2. Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk each scored in that game. Despite their efforts, the Panthers couldn’t secure the win.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are coming off a close win against the Nashville Predators. They managed to score three goals and limited the Predators to two. Charlie Coyle was a key player, scoring one goal and blocking two shots.

In a recent away game, the Blue Jackets edged out the New York Rangers with a 5-4 win. Kirill Marchenko shined with two goals and an assist. The team showed strong defensive skills, blocking 21 shots.

Elvis Merzlikins has been solid in the goal for Columbus. He has 12 wins in 24 games this season. His performance against the Rangers, where he saved 29 shots, was crucial for the team’s victory.

BTB Betting Pick

The Columbus Blue Jackets are the slight favorites with a moneyline of -115 against the Florida Panthers, who are at -104. Both teams have similar stats in goals and assists, but Columbus has a slight edge in goaltending with fewer goals against. The projected score is Columbus 3, Florida 2. Given these factors, the recommendation is to pick the Columbus Blue Jackets to win.

The over/under for this game is set at 6.0, with the odds for the over at -118 and the under at -105. The projected total score is 5, which suggests a lower-scoring game. Both teams have mid-range rankings in goals and assists, and neither team has recorded a shutout. Based on this information, the recommendation is to go with the under 6.0.