Panthers Edge Blue Jackets in Thrilling OT Victory

In a high-scoring affair, the Florida Panthers triumphed over the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-6 in overtime at the Amerant Bank Arena on December 6, 2025. This victory not only extends Florida's lead in the season series to 2-0 but also marks a crucial win as they look to improve their standing in the NHL. The game featured a flurry of goals, with both teams combining for 13, showcasing their offensive capabilities despite recent struggles.

The Panthers entered the game with a home record of 13-12-2, while the Blue Jackets held a slightly better away record of 13-9-6. Florida's recent form had been less than ideal, with a record of 4-6 over their last ten games and a current four-game losing streak. They averaged 3.4 goals scored and 3.5 goals allowed during this stretch. In contrast, Columbus also had a record of 4-6 in their last ten but was coming off two consecutive wins, averaging 2.9 goals scored and 3.5 goals allowed.

At home, the Panthers had struggled, with a record of 3-6 in their last nine games, while the Blue Jackets had a mixed away record of 2-3 in their last five. This matchup was particularly significant given the teams' previous meetings; Florida had won all three encounters in the current season, including a decisive 3-0 victory at home earlier.

In terms of injuries, the Panthers were dealing with several key absences. Brad Marchand was on injured reserve with a lower body injury, and Radko Gudas, Jacob Markstrom, Carter Verhaeghe, and Sam Bennett were all out due to various injuries. The Blue Jackets were also missing players, including Elvis Merzlikins and Isac Lundestrom, both sidelined with shoulder and Achilles injuries, respectively.

The betting odds from DraftKings indicated Florida as the favorite at -162, with a spread of -1.5 and a total set at 6.5. The over odds were listed at 110.0, while the under was at -130.0. These odds reflected the expectation of a competitive game, which certainly played out as anticipated.

The game conditions were favorable for an exciting matchup, and the players delivered with a back-and-forth scoring display. The scoring began in the second period, where Carter Verhaeghe scored twice for Florida, bringing the game to a tight 4-4 tie after Columbus had taken a lead. The Blue Jackets responded with goals from Seth Jones and Cole Sillinger, pushing their lead to 6-4 at one point in the third period. However, the Panthers fought back, with goals from Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell to level the score at 6-6, forcing the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, Sam Bennett secured the victory for Florida with a decisive goal, capping off a thrilling contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The game highlighted the offensive prowess of both teams and set the stage for what could be an exciting continuation of their rivalry this season.