PNC Arena is the site for an intriguing showdown as the Columbus Blue Jackets visit Raleigh to face the Carolina Hurricanes. This Metropolitan Division matchup will get going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 4, and it is being televised live on Fox Sports Ohio.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Columbus is 23-16 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.5 units this year. Through 39 regular season outings, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just three have pushed. As an away team this season, the Jackets are 12-6 SU.
Columbus has converted on just 13.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.3 times per game in the 2018-19 season, and 4.0 per game over its past five contests. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.6 saves per game with a .910 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (17-12-1) has been the best option in goal for Columbus this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, Columbus may turn to Joonas Korpisalo (6-7-2 record, .884 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average).
The visiting Blue Jackets will be led by Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson. Panarin (43 points) has tallied 12 goals and 31 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 12 different games. Atkinson has 24 goals and 18 assists to his credit (and has logged a point in 25 games).
On the other side of the ice, Carolina is 17-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 39 regular season contests, 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and none have pushed. The team’s 10-11 SU at home this year.
Carolina has converted on just 15.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Carolina players have been sent to the penalty box 3.6 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Petr Mrazek has stopped 23.9 shots per game as the top option in goal for Carolina. Mrazek has seven wins, 10 losses, and two overtime losses and has maintained a mediocre 2.61 goals against average and a subpar .902 save percentage this year.
Sebastian Aho (15 goals, 26 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Hurricanes.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in four of Carolina’s last five outings.
- Columbus has managed 25.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Carolina is averaging 35.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Four of Columbus’ last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 3-1 in those games.
- The Hurricanes this season have recorded the sixth-most hits per game in the NHL (26.9), but the club has averaged 31.4 over their last five home outings.
