Conor Garland was listed as a game-time decision in NHL.com’s projected lineups for Panthers Vs Blue Jackets on October 13, giving the matchup an added layer of uncertainty before puck drop. The Panthers are already dealing with multiple injuries, while the Blue Jackets also entered the day with notable absences of their own.
This is not a recap of what happened on the ice, but a look at how both teams were expected to line up. It matters because projected lineups often reveal more than just who starts; they show which teams are having to manage health, depth and late calls in real time.
Panthers still managing the fallout from Monday
The Panthers arrived at this projected lineups update after a 5-3 loss at the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, a game that also saw Jacob Markstrom exit at the end of the first period after allowing two goals on 11 shots. On Tuesday, Black was recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League, underlining how quickly the roster picture can change.
Paul Maurice described the situation as “just standard stuff,” but the list of injuries still affects how Florida can structure its group. With knee, neck and undisclosed issues among the notes around the Panthers, the focus shifts to who is available rather than who would ideally be in the lineup.
Blue Jackets also dealing with absences
The Blue Jackets were not in a clean spot either. Their projected lineup picture also included multiple injuries, with broken hand and lower-body issues noted.
That means both sides came into this game with decisions to make before the puck even dropped. For the Panthers, the biggest question was whether Conor Garland would be available. For Columbus, the challenge was making sure the lineup could still function despite its own injury list.
In that sense, Panthers Vs Blue Jackets was always likely to be shaped by late availability and depth calls. The projected lineups did not just preview a game; they showed how thin margins can become when injuries start to stack up.
