Panthers at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The Florida Panthers have gone 11 seasons without a playoff berth and they are seemingly intent on continually going the extra minute to end that drought. The Panthers coughed up the tying goal with 31 seconds left in regulation and the winning goal only 15 seconds into overtime in Thursday’s loss at Minnesota. Despite just one win in five games (1-1-3), Florida holds a four-point lead over Washington atop the Southeast Division heading into Friday's matchup at league-worst Columbus.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSFL, FSOH
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (37-24-16): Florida has a game in hand on Washington but still has to worry about securing a playoff slot, much less a division title. Despite the deflating loss, assistant general manager Mike Santos reiterated the Panthers are in control of their destiny. “We got a point on the road. We’re the rabbit, not the fox," he said. Defenseman Brian Campbell assisted on both goals to give him 47, setting a career high. He needs one more point to match his personal best of 52.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (25-45-7): Rookie Allen York earned his first NHL victory, making 29 saves in a 4-2 win over Detroit on Wednesday that avenged a 7-2 rout in Detroit two nights earlier. Columbus was in desperation mode after netminder Steve Mason was hit in the head by a puck Wednesday morning and experienced concussion-like symptoms. York's previous start had been in the ECHL. The Blue Jackets then signed Shawn Hunwick, who was in an astronomy class at the University of Michigan when the team called him.
OVERTIME:
1. Columbus has won the past four meetings with the Panthers.
2. After going past regulation for the fourth straight game, the Panthers dipped to 23-1-6 when leading after two periods.
3. Blue Jackets D Jack Johnson set a team record for a regulation game by logging 32 minutes, 16 seconds of ice time Wednesday.