Blue Jackets Vs Panthers: Lineups, form and injury contrasts before Sunrise

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers meet in Sunrise with projected lineups and roster moves outlined for Thursday’s game. This comparison asks which team’s current lineup, injury list and recent form better positions it for the March 12, 2026, 7: 00 pm ET meeting at Amerant Bank Arena.

Blue Jackets projected lineup and recent form

Columbus will ice forwards Cole Sillinger, Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko on one line and Kent Johnson, Sean Monahan and Conor Garland on another, per the projected lineup. The team lists Mason Marchment, Charlie Coyle and Mathieu Olivier together and Dmitri Voronkov, Boone Jenner and Isac Lundestrom on a fourth line; scratches include Miles Wood, Egor Zamula and Danton Heinen. Columbus enters the matchup with a 33-21-10 record and a 6-1-3 mark in its last 10 games, averaging 3. 7 goals and allowing 2. 7 goals per game over that span.

Panthers projected lineup and roster status

Florida’s projected forwards include Eetu Luostarinen, Evan Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart, with A. J. Greer, Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk on another line. Mackie Samoskevich, Tomas Nosek and Cole Reinhardt comprise a third line while Jesper Boqvist, Luke Kunin and Vinnie Hinostroza form a fourth. The Panthers scratched Carter Verhaeghe and Anton Lundell; injured players listed are Uvis Balinskis (lower body), Brad Marchand (lower body), Seth Jones (collarbone), Aleksander Barkov (knee) and Jonah Gadjovich (upper body). Sam Reinhart is noted as making a Panthers debut after being claimed off waivers, and Benning was recalled from Charlotte and will make his NHL debut for Columbus.

Blue Jackets Vs Panthers: head-to-head scoring, discipline and roster moves

This side-by-side view applies three evaluative criteria to both teams: recent scoring, discipline measured by penalty minutes, and roster continuity or disruption. On scoring, the Blue Jackets have averaged 3. 7 goals in their last 10, while the Panthers have averaged 2. 9 goals in their last 10. On discipline, Florida averages 14. 3 penalty minutes per game in its last 10 games and ranks third in the league with 11. 5 penalty minutes per game overall; Columbus averages 9. 3 penalty minutes in its last 10.

Roster moves sharpen the contrast. Columbus shows lineup stability with its listed scratches and a recalled player, while Florida’s list includes multiple injured core names and management choices such as resting Anton Lundell. Carter Verhaeghe was scratched after something tightened up following a 4-3 win against Detroit, and the Panthers expect him to return at Seattle. Gudbranson was injured during a 5-4 overtime loss to Los Angeles and did not travel with Columbus; the defenseman could meet the team before a game at Philadelphia on Saturday.

Both teams have notable recent individual production: Sam Reinhart is credited with 28 goals and 31 assists for Florida, and Kirill Marchenko has 24 goals and 32 assists for Columbus. Mathieu Olivier led Columbus with two goals in the teams’ previous meeting, a 4-2 Blue Jackets win, and Olivier has six goals over his past 10 games.

Finding: Columbus’s combination of higher recent scoring (3. 7 goals per game) and fewer penalty minutes (9. 3) gives it a clearer short-term edge in form, while Florida’s injuries and higher penalty burden constrain its home prospects. Analysis: If the Blue Jackets maintain their last-10 scoring and discipline, they are more likely to control play and capitalize on special teams; conversely, if the Panthers see Carter Verhaeghe return and reduce penalties, their scoring and home advantage could swing the game. The next confirmed event to test this finding is the game Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Amerant Bank Arena at 7: 00 pm ET.