The Carolina Hurricanes (25-8-6) meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-24-2) Saturday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
After a franchise record 11-game winning streak, and 17-game point streak, the Hurricanes have dropped each of the past 2 games. Both of the losses on the road against the New York Rangers, and home to the Nashville Predators, were by 5-3 scores.
The Hurricanes took a ridiculous 67 shots, all in regulation, in the loss, as Juuse Saros shut them down with 64 saves in Raleigh.
The Blue Jackets were bludgeoned 6-2 by the visiting Washington Capitals, and Columbus has been outscored 10-2 in a pair of games since flipping the calendar from 2022 to 2023. Overall, Columbus is just 1-9 in the past 10 games, averaging just 1.6 goals per game (GPG) during the stretch.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Hurricanes at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -310 (bet $310 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +255 (bet $100 to win $255)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (-115) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Hurricanes at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Antti Raanta (10-2-2, 2.62 GAA, .897 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (4-9-0, 4.78 GAA, .861 SV%)
Raanta coughed up 4 goals on 28 shots in his start New Year’s Day in a 5-4 shootout win in New Jersey. He has won 6 straight starts, and he hasn’t lost in regulation in 9 starts dating back to Nov. 12 at Colorado.
Merzlikins was hammered for 6 goals on 37 shots in a loss Thursday against the Capitals. He has allowed 4 or more goals in 4 of his past 6 appearances. On a positive note, Merzlikins has won 2 of his past 3 appearances at home.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Hurricanes at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 5, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-310) will cost more than 3 times your potential return, and that’s quite risky for a standalone bet. There is just no value, even if you include this in a multi-team parlay.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The HURRICANES -1.5 (-115) are a better value on the puck line, as Carolina hopes to snap back on track after a 2-game mini skid.
The Hurricanes have won 4 straight trips in Columbus, while picking up victories in 7 of the previous 8 outings overall. The road team is 7-3 in the past 10 in the series, too, while the favorite is 7-1 in the past 8 in the series.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+100) is worth a look, but play a half-unit at best.
The Under is 20-6-1 in the previous 27 meetings in this series. However, the Over is 5-2 in Carolina’s past 7 games overall, while going 6-2 in the past 8 road games for the Hurricanes. The Over is 4-0 in the past 4 games inside the Metropolitan Division.
While the Under is 14-5 in the past 19 games for Columbus, the Over is 8-3 in the past 11 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Want action on this matchup or any other NHL games? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]