Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Columbus Blue Jackets (31-21-8) host the Florida Panthers (30-28-3) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 5, 2026, starting at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Blue Jackets are ninth in the Eastern Conference (70 points), while the Panthers are 15th in the Eastern Conference (63 points).
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Blue Jackets vs. Panthers: March 5 Viewing Options
- Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- How to watch on TV: ESPN+
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Venue: Nationwide Arena
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
Blue Jackets' 2025-26 Stats
| Stat | Per-Game Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 3.12 | 17th |
| Goals Allowed | 3.17 | 21st |
| Shots | 29.7 | 5th |
| Shots Allowed | 29.9 | 26th |
| Power Play % | 19.58% | 20th |
| Penalty Kill % | 77.25% | 25th |
Panthers' 2025-26 Stats
| Stat | Per-Game Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 2.98 | 19th |
| Goals Allowed | 3.34 | 25th |
| Shots | 29 | 8th |
| Shots Allowed | 26 | 6th |
| Power Play % | 19.28% | 21st |
| Penalty Kill % | 82.38% | 8th |
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Blue Jackets vs. Panthers Top Players
Blue Jackets
- With 20 goals and 45 assists this season, Zachary Werenski is one of Columbus' leading contributors (65 points).
- Kirill Marchenko is another of Columbus' top contributors currently with 51 total points (22 goals and 29 assists) to his name.
- Columbus' offensive effort is aided by Charlie Coyle's 51 points. He's contributed 30 assists.
- As Columbus' top goalie, Jet Greaves has recorded 19 wins and 12 losses this season while allowing 102 goals with 1,008 saves.
Panthers
- Sam Reinhart's 57 points make him a pivotal offensive option for Florida. He has recorded 28 goals and 29 assists in 61 games.
- Brad Marchand is one of the top contributors for Florida with 53 total points (0.9 per game), with 27 goals and 26 assists in 50 games.
- Florida's Sam Bennett is among the leading scorers on the team with 47 total points (22 goals and 25 assists).
- Sergei Bobrovsky has a 22-19-1 record this season, with an .872 save percentage (63rd in the league). He has 889 saves, and has conceded 130 goals (3.1 goals against average).
Blue Jackets vs. Panthers Injury Report
Blue Jackets
Brendan Smith: Out (Leg),
Zachary Werenski: Day-To-Day (Illness),
Boone Jenner: Day-To-Day (Lower Body)
Panthers
Seth Jones: Out (Upper Body),
Aleksander Barkov Jr.: Out (Knee),
Jonah Gadjovich: Out (Upper Body),
Cole Schwindt: Out (Lower Body)
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Blue Jackets' Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/28/2026 | Islanders | L 4-3 | Home |
| 3/2/2026 | Rangers | W 5-4 | Away |
| 3/3/2026 | Predators | W 3-2 | Home |
| 3/5/2026 | Panthers | - | Home |
| 3/7/2026 | Mammoth | - | Home |
| 3/9/2026 | Kings | - | Home |
| 3/10/2026 | Lightning | - | Away |
Panthers' Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/27/2026 | Sabres | L 3-2 | Home |
| 3/1/2026 | Islanders | L 5-4 | Away |
| 3/3/2026 | Devils | L 5-1 | Away |
| 3/5/2026 | Blue Jackets | - | Away |
| 3/6/2026 | Red Wings | - | Away |
| 3/10/2026 | Red Wings | - | Home |
| 3/12/2026 | Blue Jackets | - | Home |