March 10, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins (90) and defenseman Dante Fabbro (15) react after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Image Conor Garland looks pretty comfortable in his new surroundings.
He played a big role in helping the Columbus Blue Jackets continue their push for the playoffs as they prepare to take on the Florida Panthers on Thursday in Sunrise, Florida.
Garland, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks at last week’s trade deadline, scored two goals for the second straight game in the Blue Jackets’ 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.
Columbus extended its point streak to seven games (4-0-3) with the win and is just two points away from the final wild-card playoff spot entering Wednesday’s games. The Blue Jackets beat the Panthers 4-2 at home last Thursday.
Garland scored four goals in three games with his new team. Garland also scored twice in the Blue Jackets’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. This is the first time he has recorded multiple goal games in eight consecutive seasons.
“It’s important to win. This is the best time of the year to play,” Garland said. “It’s going to be a tough game from now on. It’s stressful, but that’s what makes it fun.”
Ivan Provorov, Kirill Marchenko and Dante Fabbro also scored goals Tuesday, while Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan each had two assists.
“He plays the right way,” Werenski said of Garland. “He competes. He works very hard in battle. He’s a small guy, but he doesn’t play like that. That forces everyone else to join the fight.”
Elvis Merzlinkins made just 16 saves and added an assist against Tampa Bay.
The Panthers, desperate to make the postseason and have a chance at a third straight Stanley Cup, shocked the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 at home on Tuesday night when Carter Verhaeghe scored twice in the final minute and 30 seconds.
It was their second straight win, putting them 11 points behind the Red Wings for the final wild card spot.
“I think we deserved to win,” Verhaeghe said. “There’s only one way to play, and that’s to go out there and win the game and do your best. Once you start thinking about other things, it doesn’t really work out. There’s one way to play and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Vergaeghe tied the score at 3-3 with 90 seconds left when goaltender Danill Tarasov made an extra point and then got the winner with 15 seconds left.
Matthew Tkachuk provided key assists on both goals.
“Our job is one, it’s not to determine the rankings, it’s to take care of the day,” Florida coach Paul Morris said. “The best we can do is come out and be respectful of the game and each other, and hope for a miracle, I think. With the players out (captains Alexander Barkov, Brad Marchand and Sam Rinehart), we know it’s going to be difficult, but we still have to be professional and make the Florida Panthers play almost honorable.”
Vinnie Hinostroza had a goal and an assist in his first contest with the team since being picked up at the trade deadline. This is my second time with the Panthers. Hinostroza appeared in 9 games with Florida in the 2020-21 season and recorded no points.
–Field level media
