Kings Edge Blue Jackets in Overtime Thriller

In a thrilling contest at Nationwide Arena, the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime on March 9, 2026. This victory allowed the Kings to take a 2-1 lead in their season series against the Blue Jackets, which has now seen three closely contested matchups this season. The previous two encounters included a scoreless draw and a 3-1 win for the Kings, showcasing the competitive nature of this rivalry.

The Blue Jackets entered the game with a home record of 32-21-10 and had been performing well at home, boasting a recent record of 7-3 in their last ten games, although they were on a one-game losing streak. Their scoring average at home was impressive at 3.7 goals per game, while they allowed an average of 2.6 goals. However, they faced a setback in their last outing, losing 4-5 to the Utah Mammoth, which may have contributed to their struggles in this match.

On the other hand, the Kings, with an away record of 26-23-14, had been struggling recently, holding a record of 3-7 in their last ten games and also on a one-game losing streak. Their scoring average was lower at 2.5 goals per game, while they allowed an average of 3.8 goals. Their last game ended in a 3-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, reflecting their ongoing difficulties on the road.

In terms of injuries, the Blue Jackets were without key players Elvis Merzlikins and Isac Lundestrom, while the Kings were missing Kevin Fiala, who was placed on injured reserve with a lower leg injury. The absence of these players could have influenced the dynamics of the game.

The matchup was tightly contested from the start, with the Kings taking an early lead in the first period. Artemi Panarin opened the scoring for the Kings with a wrist shot, assisted by Samuel Helenius. Conor Garland quickly responded for the Blue Jackets, scoring to tie the game at 1-1. The first period ended with the Kings leading 2-1 after Garland's second goal of the game.

The second period saw both teams trading goals, with Denton Mateychuk scoring for the Blue Jackets, followed by Garland's third goal, which put the Blue Jackets ahead 3-2. However, the Kings equalized with a goal from Adrian Kempe, ending the second period at 3-3.

In the third period, Brian Dumoulin scored for the Kings, giving them a 4-3 lead. The Blue Jackets fought back, with Kirill Marchenko scoring to tie the game once more, sending it into overtime.

In the overtime period, Adrian Kempe sealed the victory for the Kings with a powerful slap shot, assisted by Panarin and Drew Doughty, concluding the game at 5-4.

The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Blue Jackets favored at -155, with a spread of -1.5 and a total set at 5.5. The over odds were listed at -135, while the under odds were at 114. The Kings, as the underdogs, were priced at +130 on the moneyline.

Overall, this match highlighted the intensity of the NHL, with both teams battling hard for points in a tightly contested game. Fans witnessed a showcase of skill and determination, making it a memorable encounter in the ongoing season.