Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers: Panthers score another two points to retain their lead in the East

Prediction for the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets vs Florida Panthers match, which will take place on February 1. Check the team conditions and choose several betting options.

Columbus is playing an average regular season by its standards. Once again, the team has a very ordinary squad and remains outside the underdog's group. In the last couple of months, the Jackets have played 23 games, winning only eight and losing 15, while Brad Larsen's men have won more than one game in a row only once in that stretch. At the end of January, the Ohio representatives first beat the Rangers (5:3) and then Montreal (6:3). It was just enough to climb to tenth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Florida has shown outstanding hockey in the current regular season, which produces results and pleases sports fans with spectacular play. The Panthers continue to play under Joel Quenneville, who has built a powerful team over the previous two seasons. However, Andrew Brunette's replacement has undoubtedly not ruined things and maybe even added some value. In their last 11 games, the team has nine wins and two losses. Such strong results allow the Panthers to sit at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. However, they are second to Carolina in points lost.

Columbus and Florida had to play many games last year, but it didn't prevent the Panthers from destroying the Jackets time after time. Joel Quenneville's team won the previous six games of the regular season by a combined score of 26:11. The first game of the regular season gave the fans fantastic emotions as they crushed Ohio with a score of 9:2. The guests, being the leaders of the Eastern Conference, are the absolute favourites of the meeting, and we suggest betting on the victory of Florida for 1.62.

Florida is the league's highest-scoring team in the current regular season. In 45 games played, the Panthers have already scored 184 pucks (4.09 average per game), which is insane. They will have every chance to improve this statistic in the upcoming match. Their opponent will be Columbus, who not only constantly managed to beat them, but in the last seven head-to-head encounters, the Jackets conceded 35 pucks (5.00 average per game). The home team's defence will have a hard time now too, and we suggest betting on an individual total 2 over 4.5 for 2.55.

We've noted that Aaron Ekblad has had a great season before, but he continues to maintain the highest level of play, so there's good reason to mention him again. The Canadian defenseman is solid in the defence and has helped his team on the attack, scored 39 points (10 goals + 29 assists) in 44 games played, and is one of the top 3 scorers for the Panthers. Moreover, he's in the crazy form right now compared to his regular-season debut, which has allowed him to score 29 points (7 goals + 22 assists) in the last 15 games. We suggest betting on Aaron Ekblad total over 0.5 for 1.65.