Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and the Carolina Hurricanes will face off against Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in a Metropolitan Division matchup. The game will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 15, and you are able to catch the game live on Fox Sports Ohio.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
The Blue Jackets (-130) are tabbed as the favorites over the Hurricanes (+110) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals (-105 over, -115 under).
Losing 1.6 units for moneyline gamblers, Columbus is 39-31 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, is right in line with what the team managed during the 2017-18 season (45-37). Out of the team’s 70 regular season matches, 37 of them have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just six have pushed. The team’s 19-18 SU at home this season.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 15.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 27th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated second overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.8 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 25.5 saves per game with a .906 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (30-23-1) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Jackets this year. If the Jackets decide to rest him, however, the team may turn to Joonas Korpisalo (9-14-14 record, .899 save percentage, 2.97 goals against average).
Carolina has lost 4.7 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 38-31 straight up (SU). Through 69 regular season matches, 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Hurricanes are 20-16 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Hurricanes have converted on 17.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.
Petr Mrazek (24.8 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Carolina. Mrazek has 18 wins, 15 losses, and three OT losses to his credit, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average this year.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Hurricanes are 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Blue Jackets are 1-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in four of Columbus’ last five outings.
- Carolina has managed 31.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Columbus has been attempting 36.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Six of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-1 in those games.
- Carolina skaters have dished out the league’s eighth-most hits per game (24.8), but that number’s down to just 20.4 hits over their last five away games.
