Florida Panthers @ Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey Game Preview: Prediction & 4 Prop Bets

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Time: 6:15 PM ET Location: Nationwide Arena — Columbus, Ohio Tickets: As low as $17 Moneyline: Columbus Blue Jackets -120 Over/Under: 5.5

Florida Panthers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction & Matchup Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets return home Tuesday night for an intriguing matchup against the Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena, with Columbus installed as a slight -120 favorite and the total sitting at a relatively low 5.5 goals.

The matchup comes at an important early-season point for both clubs.

Columbus is coming off a disappointing 5-3 road loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. The Blue Jackets actually opened a 2-0 first-period lead behind goals from Kent Johnson and Valeri Nichushkin, but St. Louis took control in the second period and eventually pulled away.

Cole Sillinger tied the game at 3-3 in the third period, but Columbus could not finish the comeback.

That loss came one night after Columbus produced one of its strongest performances of the young season, defeating Pittsburgh 3-2 in a shootout.

Against the Penguins, Columbus generated 45 shots compared with Pittsburgh’s 22. Damon Severson contributed a goal and an assist in his return from shoulder surgery, Mathieu Olivier scored, and Kent Johnson delivered the deciding shootout goal.

The challenge Tuesday is finding more consistency.

Columbus has enough offensive talent to create extended stretches of pressure, particularly with Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Matthew Knies, Valeri Nichushkin and Zach Werenski. However, defensive lapses like the ones that occurred against St. Louis can become particularly costly against Florida.

The Panthers enter the matchup with a talented roster but are dealing with significant injury problems.

Florida recently lost veteran forward Brad Marchand for approximately six weeks because of a lower-leg injury. Even more important, captain Aleksander Barkov is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a left-leg injury.

Those are significant losses for a Panthers team that depends heavily on its depth, forechecking and two-way play.

Florida still has plenty of dangerous offensive weapons.

Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe give the Panthers enough firepower to create problems for almost any opponent.

Florida’s defense also features Aaron Ekblad, Gustav Forsling, Seth Jones and Niko Mikkola, while Jacob Markstrom provides an experienced presence in goal.

The Panthers are coming off their first regulation loss of the season, falling 4-1 to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Matthew Tkachuk scored Florida’s only goal, while Jacob Markstrom stopped 25 of 28 shots.

Tuesday’s matchup could therefore become a battle between a Columbus team trying to establish offensive consistency and a Florida team attempting to compensate for the absence of two major forwards.

The sportsbook total of 5.5 goals suggests expectations for a relatively controlled game.

🔥 Top 4 Expanded Prop Bets

Player prop lines can change before puck drop. Confirm final lineups, starting goaltenders and sportsbook markets before wagering.

Prop Bet #1: Zach Werenski Over 2.5 Shots on Goal

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Werenski Over 2.5 Shots

• Elite Offensive Defenseman
• Heavy Minutes
• Power-Play Role

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Werenski remains one of the most reliable shot-generation options on the Columbus roster.

The Blue Jackets frequently run their offense through him from the blue line, and his willingness to attack shooting lanes gives him opportunities both at even strength and on the power play.

Florida remains a strong defensive team, but the Panthers’ aggressive forecheck can occasionally create opportunities for opposing defensemen when the puck is moved quickly back to the point.

Werenski also plays enough minutes that he does not need an unusually high shooting rate to reach three shots on goal.

If Columbus generates 30-plus shots, Werenski should be heavily involved.

Lean: Zach Werenski Over 2.5 Shots on Goal.

Prop Bet #2: Matthew Tkachuk Over 2.5 Shots on Goal

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Tkachuk Over 2.5 Shots

• Florida Offensive Leader
• Barkov Out
• Marchand Out

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With Barkov and Marchand unavailable, Florida needs even more offense from Matthew Tkachuk.

Tkachuk scored Florida’s lone goal in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Minnesota and should continue receiving premium offensive-zone and power-play opportunities.

He is particularly effective around the net, where his ability to create rebounds and deflections can generate multiple shots during a single shift.

Columbus allowed St. Louis to score five times Saturday, so Florida should not be afraid to attack aggressively.

Three shots on goal is a reasonable target for one of the Panthers’ most important offensive players.

Lean: Matthew Tkachuk Over 2.5 Shots on Goal.

Prop Bet #3: Under 5.5 Total Goals

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Under 5.5 Goals

• Florida Injuries
• Low Posted Total
• Potential Goaltending Battle

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A total of 5.5 is low by modern NHL standards, but there is a legitimate case for playing the under.

Florida is currently missing Barkov and Marchand, removing two important offensive contributors and two players who can create scoring opportunities in different ways.

The Panthers also scored only once against Minnesota.

Columbus, meanwhile, has shown the ability to play lower-scoring games. Its 3-2 shootout victory over Pittsburgh featured a strong defensive performance, with the Blue Jackets allowing only 22 shots.

Florida’s defensive personnel remains excellent even with injuries affecting the forward group.

If Jacob Markstrom starts for Florida and either Cam Talbot or Jet Greaves plays well for Columbus, this could develop into a 3-2 game.

Lean: Under 5.5 Total Goals.

Prop Bet #4: Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline -120

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Columbus -120

• Home Ice
• Florida Injuries
• Offensive Depth

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Columbus being favored over Florida might initially appear surprising, but the circumstances make the -120 moneyline understandable.

Florida is missing two major forwards in Barkov and Marchand, while Columbus is playing at Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets also demonstrated their offensive ceiling against Pittsburgh, generating 45 shots and controlling much of the game.

Columbus’ biggest concern is defensive consistency.

The Blue Jackets cannot afford the type of second-period breakdown that allowed St. Louis to erase a 2-0 deficit Saturday.

If Columbus limits turnovers and keeps Florida from establishing prolonged offensive-zone pressure, the Blue Jackets should have enough scoring depth to take advantage of the Panthers’ depleted lineup.

Lean: Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline -120.

Players to Watch

Zach Werenski — Columbus: Columbus’ most important offensive defenseman remains a major factor at even strength and on the power play.

Adam Fantilli — Columbus: Fantilli gives the Blue Jackets speed, skill and finishing ability through the middle and should be central to Columbus’ offensive attack.

Kent Johnson — Columbus: Johnson scored against St. Louis and also delivered the deciding shootout goal against Pittsburgh. He enters Tuesday playing with confidence.

Valeri Nichushkin — Columbus: Nichushkin scored against St. Louis and gives Columbus a large, powerful forward capable of winning battles around the crease.

Matthew Tkachuk — Florida: With Barkov and Marchand unavailable, Tkachuk becomes even more important to Florida’s offense. He scored the Panthers’ only goal against Minnesota.

Sam Reinhart — Florida: One of Florida’s premier finishers and an especially dangerous player around the net and on the power play.

Sam Bennett — Florida: Bennett’s combination of physicality and offensive ability makes him particularly important while Florida’s forward group is depleted.

Gustav Forsling — Florida: One of Florida’s most dependable two-way defensemen and a key part of a Panthers defense that could determine whether the under cashes.

Keys to the Game

Columbus Blue Jackets

Avoid another defensive collapse: Columbus led St. Louis 2-0 before surrendering five goals over the final two periods.

Attack Florida’s depleted forward group: Without Barkov and Marchand, Florida does not have its normal offensive depth.

Get traffic in front of Markstrom: Columbus cannot settle for low-percentage perimeter shots.

Use Werenski aggressively: His ability to move the puck and create offense from the blue line can stretch Florida’s defensive structure.

Stay disciplined: Florida still possesses several dangerous power-play options despite its injuries.

Florida Panthers

Lean on Tkachuk: Florida needs its star winger to generate offense with Barkov and Marchand unavailable.

Control the forecheck: The Panthers are at their best when they prevent opponents from exiting the defensive zone cleanly.

Force Columbus into turnovers: The Blue Jackets showed defensive vulnerability against St. Louis.

Protect the middle of the ice: Columbus has several dangerous forwards who can attack through the slot.

Get strong goaltending: With reduced offensive depth, Florida may need Markstrom or Akira Schmid to win a low-scoring game.

Betting Prediction

This matchup has the ingredients for a much tighter game than Columbus’ 5-3 loss Saturday.

Florida remains extremely talented, but losing Barkov and Marchand dramatically changes the Panthers’ offensive depth.

Columbus should attempt to take advantage by playing aggressively early and forcing Florida to chase the game.

The Panthers still possess enough experienced talent to make this difficult.

Tkachuk, Reinhart and Bennett can all generate offense, while Florida’s defensive group is capable of limiting Columbus’ scoring chances.

The difference may be home ice and depth.

Columbus has several lines capable of contributing offensively, and the Blue Jackets should be motivated to respond after surrendering a two-goal advantage against St. Louis.

Expect a physical, relatively low-scoring game that remains close into the third period.

The Verdict

Prediction

Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Florida Panthers 2

Best Bets

Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline -120

Under 5.5 Total Goals

Zach Werenski Over 2.5 Shots on Goal

Matthew Tkachuk Over 2.5 Shots on Goal

Florida remains a dangerous opponent despite its injuries, but playing without Barkov and Marchand puts additional pressure on Tkachuk, Reinhart and Bennett to generate offense.

Columbus has its own concerns after allowing St. Louis to erase a 2-0 deficit and score five goals Saturday.

The Blue Jackets have nevertheless demonstrated that they can control games offensively. Their 45-shot performance against Pittsburgh showed what this lineup can produce when its forecheck and puck possession are working.

Florida’s defensive structure should prevent Columbus from running away with the game, which is why the under 5.5 remains attractive despite the relatively low total.

Look for Columbus to receive enough production from its deeper forward group and home-ice advantage to escape with a narrow victory.

Final Score Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Florida Panthers 2.

Confirm the starting goaltenders, final injury report and sportsbook prop markets before wagering. Florida’s injury situation makes the final lineup particularly important for this matchup.