The Los Angeles Kings vs Columbus Blue Jackets game on March 9, 2026 looks like a very important contest for both teams, but for different reasons. Columbus are trying to stay alive in the Eastern Conference race and keep their good run going at home. Los Angeles, meanwhile, are still chasing ground in the Western Conference, but their form has been too uneven in recent games.
This matchup also carries a little extra edge because the Blue Jackets have already beaten the Kings twice this season. That gives Columbus confidence coming into this game, especially with the team playing aggressive hockey and scoring goals at a healthy rate. Los Angeles have shown flashes of quality, but defensive mistakes and poor finishing in key moments have stopped them from building momentum.
From the shared match notes, Columbus look like the more settled team right now. They are picking up points regularly, they are dangerous in transition, and they have already shown they can trouble the Kings’ defense. Los Angeles still have attacking talent, but their recent road form and defensive issues make this a difficult test.
Match Details
| Match | Los Angeles Kings vs Columbus Blue Jackets |
|---|---|
| Date | March 9, 2026 |
| Time | Monday, March 9 |
| Venue | Columbus home game |
| Competition | NHL Regular Season |
How to Watch
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| TV/Streaming | Check local NHL broadcast listings for your region |
| Match Day | Monday, March 9, 2026 |
Preview
Columbus enter this game in solid touch. They are not only collecting points, but they are also doing it with an attacking style that keeps pressure on opponents for long stretches. Even when they have not won in regulation, they have stayed competitive and found ways to push games deep. That shows confidence and good fighting spirit.
The Kings, on the other hand, are harder to trust at the moment. They can still create chances and they still have enough quality to hurt teams, but they are not defending well enough on a regular basis. In several recent matches, Los Angeles have allowed games to slip away because of soft goals and lapses in structure.
The biggest early edge in this game is the fact that Columbus are at home and have already solved this matchup twice this season. That matters in a late-season game where confidence can decide small moments.
Team Form
Columbus Blue Jackets last 5 games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 8 | Utah Mammoth | Lost 4-5 (OT) |
| Mar 6 | Florida Panthers | Won 4-2 |
| Mar 4 | Nashville Predators | Won 3-2 |
| Mar 3 | New York Rangers | Won 5-4 |
| Mar 1 | New York Islanders | Lost 3-4 (OT) |
Columbus have taken points from all five of these games. That is a strong sign.
Los Angeles Kings last 5 games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 8 | Montreal Canadiens | Lost 3-4 |
| Mar 6 | New York Islanders | Won 5-3 |
| Mar 3 | Colorado Avalanche | Lost 2-4 |
| Mar 1 | Calgary Flames | Won 2-0 |
| Feb 27 | Edmonton Oilers | Lost 1-8 |
The Kings have mixed results, and the heavy loss to Edmonton still shows how shaky they can look when pressure builds.
Also see: Mikko Rantanen Injury Update: Dallas Stars Star Forward Likely Out for Weeks After Olympic Injury
Head-to-Head Record
The recent head-to-head trend has started to swing toward Columbus.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Dec 23, 2025 | Blue Jackets won 3-1 at Kings |
| Jan 26, 2025 | Blue Jackets won 3-2 at home |
| Nov 10, 2024 | Kings won 5-2 |
Over the last 10 meetings, Los Angeles still have a slight overall edge, but Columbus have won the last two. That is the more important trend for this game.
Standings Snapshot
Columbus Blue Jackets
- 9th in the Eastern Conference
- 73 points
- Goal difference: 200-198
Los Angeles Kings
- 10th in the Western Conference
- 64 points
- Goal difference: 163-186
Columbus clearly look like the team with more offensive life.
Key Players to Watch
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | Recent Impact |
|---|---|
| Kirill Marchenko | 7 points in last 5 games |
| Ivan Provorov | 4 points in last 5 games |
| Mathieu Olivier | 5 points in last 5 games |
Marchenko is the biggest danger here. He is creating and finishing, and he has been one of Columbus’ most reliable attacking players.
Los Angeles Kings
| Player | Recent Impact |
|---|---|
| Adrian Kempe | 5 points in last 5 games |
| Anze Kopitar | 3 points in last 5 games |
| Artemi Panarin | 4 points in last 5 games |
Kempe remains the top threat for Los Angeles, while Kopitar still controls the flow when the Kings settle into their game.
Expected Lineup Notes
The shared references did not include full projected line combinations for this game. Based on the names highlighted in the preview, these are the main players expected to carry the load:
Columbus likely core
- Kirill Marchenko
- Ivan Provorov
- Mathieu Olivier
- Elvis Merzlikins
Los Angeles likely core
- Adrian Kempe
- Anze Kopitar
- Artemi Panarin
- Darcy Kuemper
Goalie Report
| Team | Goalie | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | Elvis Merzlikins | 12 wins in 25 games, 3.53 GAA, .884 save percentage |
| Los Angeles | Darcy Kuemper | 15 wins in 39 games, 2.72 GAA, .896 save percentage |
Kuemper’s numbers are a little steadier, but Columbus have been the better team in front of their goalie lately.
Injury Report
The shared references for this matchup did not provide a full updated injury list. No major fresh injury detail was included in the supplied preview text.
Betting Odds Snapshot
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Columbus win | 2.18 |
| Draw | 4.26 |
| Los Angeles win | 2.96 |
| Match Winner Columbus | 1.72 |
| Match Winner Los Angeles | 2.22 |
| Total | 6 |
Best Player Props
Based on the form and trends given in the references, these are the strongest player angles:
| Player Prop | Pick |
|---|---|
| Kirill Marchenko points | Good value |
| Columbus team total | Over 2.5 goals |
| Adrian Kempe point involvement | Worth watching |
Best Picks
1) Columbus Blue Jackets team total over 2.5 goals
This is the strongest pick from the shared analysis. Columbus have already scored at least three goals in both recent wins over Los Angeles, and the Kings have been conceding too much on the road.
2) Columbus Blue Jackets will not lose in regulation
Columbus are on a strong run and keep finding points. Their form is clearly better than Los Angeles right now.
3) Columbus 1st period or 3rd period edge
The trend notes suggest Columbus are staying competitive early and finishing games well at home.
Why Columbus have the edge
Columbus look stronger in three important areas:
- better recent form
- more confidence in this matchup
- more attacking consistency
Los Angeles still have the higher-name stars, but Columbus are playing the better team game at the moment. They are faster in transition, they are getting more from their recent scorers, and they are using home ice well.
Match Prediction
This looks like a game where Columbus should create enough chances to score at least three times. The Kings can still threaten, especially through Kempe and Kopitar, but their recent defensive record makes them difficult to back with confidence.
Columbus also have the mental advantage of winning the last two meetings. At home, that matters even more.
Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 Los Angeles Kings
| Bet Type | Pick |
|---|---|
| Main Pick | Columbus Blue Jackets over 2.5 goals |
| Safer Pick | Columbus Blue Jackets will not lose in regulation |
| Correct Score Lean | Columbus 4-3 |
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