Seth Jones’ Arrival Strengthens Panthers Ahead of Blue Jackets Matchup

Panthers Look to Extend Streak with Jones Leading the Charge

The Florida Panthers are in prime form, having won four straight games, and they just got even stronger. After acquiring All-Star defenseman Seth Jones, the defending Stanley Cup champions are laser-focused on securing the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Their next challenge? The surprising Columbus Blue Jackets, who are battling for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The two teams met once earlier this season, with the Panthers claiming a tight 4-3 victory in Columbus back in October. Thursday’s matchup in Sunrise, Florida, promises to be a high-stakes battle between a Stanley Cup contender and a Blue Jackets team fighting to stay in playoff position.

Seth Jones Makes Immediate Impact in Florida Debut

Jones, a five-time All-Star defenseman, made his Panthers debut in Monday’s 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he did not disappoint.

The 30-year-old defenseman logged big minutes, played a physical two-way game, and immediately earned praise from teammates and coaches.

“When you look at the standard in the NHL, this is it,” Jones said of the Panthers. “They are physical and aggressive.”

Florida acquired Jones in a blockbuster deal, sending young goaltender Spencer Knight to Chicago.

Though Knight is a high-upside prospect, the Panthers prioritized immediate help over long-term potential, knowing that Jones can be a difference-maker for their Stanley Cup repeat bid.

“He’s an unbelievable skater,” Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky said after Monday’s win. “He played well on both sides of the puck. He’s a great addition to our team.”

Panthers Bolster Goaltending Depth with Vanecek Trade

With Knight gone, Florida quickly moved to reinforce their goalie depth, acquiring Vitek Vanecek from the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.

Vanecek has NHL experience with 181 career games but is having a rough season with a 3-10-3 record, an .882 save percentage, and a 3.88 goals-against average.

That said, Florida’s goaltending hierarchy remains clear:

Sergei Bobrovsky (Starter) – 26-13-2, .906 SV%, 2.55 GAA
Chris Driedger (Backup Option) – Career .917 SV%, 2.45 GAA
Vitek Vanecek (Insurance) – Recently acquired, will compete for backup role

Expect Bobrovsky to start against Columbus as the Panthers aim to extend their winning streak.

Columbus Blue Jackets: The Surprise Playoff Contenders

The Blue Jackets were expected to be rebuilding this season, but instead, they find themselves holding a wild-card spot.

Their unexpected success prompted Columbus to reward key players, including Mathieu Olivier, who signed a six-year, $18-million extension on Wednesday.

General manager Don Waddell praised the veteran leadership of Olivier, Zach Werenski, and Sean Monahan, crediting them for keeping Columbus in the playoff hunt.

“Those guys have stepped up in the (locker room) when we’ve needed it,” Waddell said. “They’re true professionals, and our younger guys can learn from them in how to prepare for games and practices.”

Key Players for Columbus

Kirill Marchenko (RW) – Leads the team with a career-high 24 goals.
Zach Werenski (D) – Top Blue Jackets defenseman, pacing Columbus with 46 assists and 66 points.
Sean Monahan (C) – 41 points and a +17 rating, playing a key role in the team’s success.
Elvis Merzlikins (G) – 22-15-4, .896 SV%, 3.02 GAA, having his best season since 2021-22.

Panthers vs. Blue Jackets: What to Watch For

Key Storylines

Seth Jones’ Home Debut – Can Jones continue his strong play and give Florida an edge defensively?
Columbus’ Underdog Mentality – The Blue Jackets weren’t supposed to be in playoff contention, but can they keep proving doubters wrong?
Bobrovsky’s Brilliance – Florida’s star goaltender has been rock-solid, but Columbus beat him three times in their last meeting.

Head-to-Head Stats

Last Meeting: Florida 4-3 win (Oct. 15, 2023) in Columbus
Panthers’ Home Record: 22-7-2 (One of the NHL’s best)
Blue Jackets’ Road Record: 13-15-4

Florida is the clear favorite, but Columbus has been scrappy all season, making them a dangerous opponent.

Prediction: Panthers Stay Hot at Home

With Florida riding a four-game winning streak, playing at home, and adding Seth Jones to the mix, they have the clear edge in this matchup.

Meanwhile, Columbus is fighting for its playoff life, and a win against Florida would be a huge confidence boost.

Final Score Prediction: Panthers 4, Blue Jackets 2

Will Florida continue its dominance and extend its win streak to five games? Or will Columbus pull off another upset and strengthen its wild-card position?

Find out Thursday night in Sunrise.

Florida Panthers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions March 6th 2025