Blue Jackets at Panthers Preview

The Blue Jackets have now lost five games in a row, and they have been in a complete free fall over the last month and a half. Columbus has just 39 points on the season, and they are just one point ahead of Detroit for 7th place in the Central Division.

Florida comes into this game with 61 points on the season, which has them in second place in the Central. The Panthers have gone just 2-4 in their last six games, but this has still been an impressive season for the young Florida squad.

The Florida Panthers are -235 in this matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. 

Columbus Continues to Fall Flat

The Blue Jackets are scoring just 2.43 goals per game, which is not even close enough to allow them to compete on a nightly basis. Columbus is also allowing more than 3.2 goals per game, and that has become a major issue of late.

Oliver Bjorsktrand and Jack Roslovic have done their part to help the Blue Jackets stay competitive, but there just are not enough scoring threats on this roster. Bjorkstrand leads the team with 14 goals and 33 points, and Roslovic has a team-high 20 goals.

The Blue Jackets have allowed at least four goals in every game during this losing streak, and they have to find a way to slow down the explosive Panthers. 

Panthers Take Some Chances

The Florida Panthers want to play extremely fast, and they aren’t afraid to take chances on either end of the ice. As a result, Florida comes into Monday night scoring 3.1 goals per game but also giving up 2.7 goals per night.

Alexsander Barkov leads the team with 18 goals and 45 total points, and the Blue Jackets will have to put some extra pressure on the center. There are a number of other weapons on this roster, but Barkoc has been the one leading the way.

Florida will give up some goals, but the Blue Jackets have not proven that they can take advantage of opportunities from other teams. 

Can Columbus Stay Within One Goal?

If you are looking to make a bet on the Blue Jackets on Monday night, then it would be best to ignore the money line. Until the Blue Jackets prove that they can actually win a hockey game again, placing a bet on Columbus is not a smart play.

This team has been getting blown out of late, but at some point, they are going to find a way to turn things around. The Blue Jackets aren’t going to suddenly turn into a great hockey team again, but this team can prove that they can at least close games.

Florida is a terrific offensive team, but the Panthers have been scuffling just a bit of late as well. This could give Columbus a chance to keep this to a one-goal game, which is a big step in the right direction.