Panthers host Blue Jackets after Verhaeghe's 2-goal game

Columbus and Florida meet for the third time this season on Thursday night.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Florida Panthers will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night after Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe scored two goals in their previous game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Blue Jackets won the last matchup between the two teams 4-2, with Mathieu Olivier scoring two goals for Columbus. Both teams have been playing well lately, with the Blue Jackets going 6-1-3 in their last 10 games and the Panthers 4-6-0.

Why it matters

This game is an important divisional matchup between two teams fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division, while the Panthers are in the middle of the pack in the Atlantic Division. A win could help either team improve their standing in the standings.

The details

The Blue Jackets have been led offensively by Kirill Marchenko, who has 24 goals and 32 assists on the season. For the Panthers, Sam Reinhart has 28 goals and 31 assists, while Matthew Tkachuk has been hot lately with six goals and seven assists in his last 10 games. In the previous matchup, Mathieu Olivier scored two goals to lead the Blue Jackets to victory.

  • The game will be played on Thursday, March 11, 2026 at 7 p.m. EDT.
  • The Blue Jackets won the last matchup between the two teams on an unspecified date.

The players

Carter Verhaeghe

A forward for the Florida Panthers who scored two goals in the team's previous game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Mathieu Olivier

A forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who scored two goals in the team's previous win over the Panthers.

Sam Reinhart

A forward for the Florida Panthers who has 28 goals and 31 assists on the season.

Matthew Tkachuk

A forward for the Florida Panthers who has six goals and seven assists in his last 10 games.

Kirill Marchenko

A forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who has 24 goals and 32 assists on the season.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for a tough game against a divisional opponent that has been playing well lately.”

— John Tortorella, Head Coach, Columbus Blue Jackets (Blue Jackets team website)

“Our team has been inconsistent at times, but we know we can compete with anyone in the league when we're playing our best hockey.”

— Andrew Brunette, Interim Head Coach, Florida Panthers (Panthers team website)

What’s next

The winner of Thursday's game will gain an important two points in the standings as they push for a playoff spot.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Blue Jackets and Panthers features two teams that have been trending in different directions lately, making it an intriguing game to watch as the playoff race heats up in the Eastern Conference.