Mar 20, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Nationwide Arena. (Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/99a0a987-4e80-44ea-a905-874e32667ab0.jpeg] Mar 20, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Nationwide Arena. (Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images) A playoff atmosphere filled Nationwide Arena on Thursday night for a late-season matchup between the Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets. With both teams looking to break out of recent funks, the game was as tight and competitive as you’d hope this late in the season between a couple of potential postseason clubs. Ultimately it was the Panthers coming out on top of this goaltenders’ duel, earning a feisty 1-0 victory in overtime. Florida played a strong first period, holding Columbus without a shot on goal for almost seven minutes after the opening puck drop. The Panthers ended up outshooting the home team 12-5 during the first period but nobody was able to solve the goaltenders. After Elvis Merzlikins was the busier of the tendies during the opening 20 minutes, it was Sergei Bobrovsky who was called upon more frequently after the second period arrived. Columbus thought they had the game’s first goal with 9:47 left in the third period. Boone Jenner was tied up just outside the goal crease but was able to kick a loose puck past a sprawling Bobrovsky. Florida’s goaltender quickly jumped up, waving his arms at the referee, but it took an official review for the refs to take the goal off the scoreboard. An exciting, physical third period yielded no goals, so for the first time in five seasons, the Panthers went to overtime in a scoreless tie. Thanks to a late delay of game penalty of Kirill Marchenko, Florida had a 4-on-3 power play when the extra session began. After some quick puck movement, Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov wired a wrist shot over Merzlikins’ blocker 28 seconds into overtime. Ballgame. On to Washington. QUICK THOUGHTS Bobrovsky finished with 26 saves, including all six high danger shots the Blue Jackets sent his way. The last time a Panthers game was 0-0 after sixty minutes was on Feb. 4, 2020 at Columbus. Florida lost on a Zach Werenski overtime goal. Barkov has now scored in consecutive games for the second time this month. Sam Reinhart picked up an assist on Barkov’s goal, his seventh assist and ninth point over his past seven games. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers road trip continues against hungry Blue Jackets as both teams aim to escape funks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-road-trip-continues-against-hungry-blue-jackets-as-both-teams-aim-to-escape-funks] Florida Panthers prospect Jack Devine among 10 finalists for Hobey Baker Award [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-prospect-jack-devine-among-10-finalists-for-hobey-baker-award] Dmitry Kulikov considered week-to-week, so Panthers will lean on Tobias Bjornfot [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/dmitry-kulikov-considered-week-to-week-so-panthers-will-lean-on-tobias-bjornfot] Florida Panthers named finalist for Sports Team of the Year at Sports Business Journal Awards [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-named-finalist-for-sports-team-of-the-year-at-sports-business-journal-awards] Matthew Tkachuk spotted at Elbo Room celebrating St. Patrick's Day [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/matthew-tkachuk-spotted-at-elbo-room-celebrating-st-patricks-day]
