FLA 2, CBJ 1 (OT): Blue Jackets Outplay Panthers, But Come Up Short On Questionable OT Call

By Ed Francis on March 12, 2026 at 10:36 pm
The Columbus Blue Jackets deserved a better fate Thursday in their 2-1 OTL to the Florida Panthers, but did extend their point streak to eight games to get within a point of a wild card spot.
© Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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  1 2 3 OT F
FLA 0 0 0 1 2
CBJ 0 1 0 0 1

CBJ GOALS: 
Adam Fantilli (2nd, 13:01)

For the third time in four games, the Columbus Blue Jackets let a second point slip through their hands Thursday night in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers.

But this one felt a little different.

The Panthers converted on a much-discussed power play in overtime to send the Blue Jackets out of the Sunshine State frustrated.

Columbus' only goal of the game came in the second period off the stick of Adam Fantilli. It was his 19th goal of the season and his sixth in the nine games since the Olympic break came to an end.

The Panthers tied the game in the opening two minutes of the third period with a power-play goal from Sam Bennett.

With the game tied at 1-1 in overtime, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk had a breakaway and was seemingly caught by Fantilli on a feverish skate by the young center. But Tkachuk fell awkwardly at the last moment, which led to the officials calling a tripping penalty on Fantilli.

The Blue Jackets were incensed at the call, which gave Florida the 4-on-3 power play that led to a goal by Sam Reinhart to give the Panthers the win.

When asked about the call after the game, Fantilli was direct.

“They know that’s what (Tkachuk) does," Fantilli said. "He does that type of stuff. The fact that they fell for it is disappointing. He did the same thing in front of our net when we were in Columbus (last week). He took a cross-check and just dove.” 

"We should've scored more goals," a still frustrated Fantilli added, giving credit to the strong play of both goalies.

Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness was also asked about the penalty.

“I don’t think it was a penalty. Simple as that. We have the benefit of looking at it. The referees do not."

Sergei Bobrovsky was outstanding in the Florida net, stopping 30 of 31 shots. He was named the second Star of the Game.

"Give (Bobrovsky) credit. He was the difference in the game, it's as simple as that," Bowness said.

Elvis Merzlikins finished with 19 saves on 21 shots for Columbus.

The single point did extend the Blue Jackets' point streak to a season-high eight games and, with a regulation loss by the Boston Bruins, brought Columbus to within a point of the second and final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

RELATED CBJ Playoff Chase Tracker

"(We're) happy to get a point, but I mean that's the third time I'm standing here saying we're happy to get a point," Fantilli said. "Eventually, it's not good enough. We want two; we need two to get into the playoffs. We played good enough to get two (points)."

Here's how the Blue Jackets made it 4-0-4 in their last eight games:

1st Period:

No scoring in the first period, but not for a lack of trying on Columbus' end. The Blue Jackets peppered Bobrovsky with 14 shots on goal (to Florida's three) and had a 28-10 advantage in shot attempts. It could've been worse for Florida: the Panthers blocked 10 shots in the period, while Columbus didn't register any. It was also one of the fastest-moving frames in some time, with just ten total faceoffs. Included in that was a span of 7:50 without a whistle, from the 13:58 mark of the period down to 6:08.

(13:01 — CBJ Goal): Fantilli gets the goal, but pay attention to the first couple of seconds here — it's Mason Marchment that makes it happen. Florida has a 2-on-1, but Marchment plays it perfectly, breaking it up and then immediately pushing the puck up the ice and around two defenders. It springs Columbus on an odd-man rush of their own, and it's Fantilli who finally beats Bobrovsky on the Blue Jackets' 21st shot on goal of the night.

(1:28 — FLA Goal): The Panthers get their first goal of the game via the power play. They establish the zone, and Sam Reinhart takes a shot from about six feet to the right of Merzlikins. It deflects to Elvis' left, where Bennett is just too quick and buries the rebound before Merzlikins can recover, tying the game at 1-1.

Overtime:

(2:20 — FLA Goal): The Panthers get the win on their second power play conversion of the game. Reinhart takes Tkachuk's pass and rips a wrist shot in from a tough angle to give Florida the 2-1 victory.

CBJ GAME STATS FLA
31 SHOTS 21
59 SHOT ATTEMPTS 57
31 SCORING CHANCES 21
15 HIGH-DANGER CHANCES 13
59% FACEOFF PERCENTAGE 41%
0/2 POWER PLAY 2/2
0/2 PENALTY KILL 2/2
13 HITS 23
14 GIVEAWAYS 23
7 TAKEAWAYS 5
10 BLOCKED SHOTS 17

Stat Chat:

  • The Blue Jackets were outshot 5-0 in the overtime period and have been outshot 8-1 in their three overtime games since Saturday, all losses.
     
  • This was the first time since Jan. 12 — Rick Bowness' first game behind the Columbus bench — that the Blue Jackets allowed multiple power play goals in a single game.
     
  • Columbus won 59% of their faceoffs, including seven of eight draws taken by Boone Jenner. 

Up Next:

The final game of Columbus' three-game road trip features a 7:30 p.m. start Saturday night in the City of Brotherly Love when the Blue Jackets face the Philadelphia Flyers.

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