Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and predictions

Seth Orlemann | Staff Writer

The Carolina Hurricanes (35-18-6) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (19-29-10) Thursday. Puck drop from Nationwide Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Hurricanes got back in the win column with a 3-2 victory at the Minnesota Wild Tuesday. After allowing two 1st-period goals and trailing 2-1 at the end of the 1st, the Hurricanes scored a goal in each period to rally for the win. C Jordan Staal scored a goal and was 1 of 6 Carolina players who had an assist.

The Blue Jackets fell 4-1 at the New York Rangers Wednesday. After a scoreless 1st period, the Blue Jackets allowed 2 goals in both the 2nd and 3rd. A 3rd-period goal from C Cole Sillinger, assisted by D Damon Severson, kept Columbus from being shut out.

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Hurricanes at Blue Jackets odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:10 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (-105) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Hurricanes at Blue Jackets projected goalies

Pyotr Kochetkov (16-10-3, 2.35 GAA, .911 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (11-13-7, 3.25 GAA, .903 SV%, 1 SO)

Kochetkov has seen the most action for the Hurricanes this season. His 2.35 GAA puts him at 4th in the NHL, while his 3 shutouts are good for 5th. He has started 16 of his 17 road appearances this season and has a 2.18 GAA on the road. Carolina is 3-1 in his last 4 appearances, and he has allowed just 5 goals in that span.

Merzlikins has been the Blue Jackets' top goalie this season but has had his struggles. His 3.25 GAA is good for 45th in the NHL and his .903 SV% ranks him 31st. He is also 6-6-3 on his home ice this season with a 2.93 GAA. Columbus is 2-2 in his last 4 appearances, and he has allowed 11 goals in that span.

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Hurricanes at Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction

Hurricanes 3, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline

PASS.

There is no value on the Hurricanes (-275), who are 16-11-2 on the road this season and 7-3 in their last 10 overall, to beat a Blue Jackets team that is 10-15-4 at home.

Puck line/Against the spread

LEAN BLUE JACKETS +1.5 (-115).

While Carolina has been on a hot streak, it is 1-2 in its last 2 games and 3-2 in its last 5 on the road, and each of its last 2 wins have been by a single goal. It has scored 3 goals or fewer in 7 of its last 9 games.

Columbus is 3-3 in its last 6 games and has allowed just 2 goals in each of its last 2 at home. It has covered this line in 3 of its last 4 games and 2 straight at home.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 6.5 (-110).

The Hurricanes have a 2-7-1 Under record in their last 10 games and have hit the Under in 4 straight. They have scored 3 or fewer goals in 7 of their last 9 games and allowed 3 or fewer in 9 of their last 10.

The Under is 3-6-1 in the Blue Jackets' last 10 games, hitting in 3 straight and 4 of the last 5. They have scored 1 goal in 3 of their last 6 games and allowed 2 or fewer in 2 of their last 4.

Get ready, North Carolina!

Online sports betting begins March 11

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