The Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes open their regular seasons Tuesday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jackets at Hurricanes, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blue Jackets hit the road for Raleigh hoping to this season better than how they finished last season. Columbus lost 7 of its final 8 games inside the Metropolitan Division and it dropped 13 of its final 18 games against Eastern Conference sides.
The Hurricanes have posted big-time numbers at PNC Arena, winning 45 of the past 62 games on home ice. Carolina has won 6 of the past 7 meetings in this series, while the favorite is also 6-1 during the same span.
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Blue Jackets at Hurricanes odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Blue Jackets +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Hurricanes -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (-120) | Hurricanes -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
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Blue Jackets at Hurricanes projected goalies
Elvis Merzlikins (27-23-7, 3.22 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO in 2021-22) vs. Frederik Andersen (35-14-3, 2.17 GAA, .922 SV%, 4 SO in 2021-22)
Merzlikins had a winning record at home, but he was just 11-14-2 with a 3.50 GAA and .903 SV% in 26 road starts. He ended up 1-1-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .913 SV% with 1 SO in 2 starts against Carolina in 2021-22.
Andersen is back healthy after missing time late in the regular season and all throughout the playoffs due to a lower-body injury. He was on fire at home last season, going 18-6-2 with a 1.95 GAA and .929 SV% and with 3 of his 4 shutouts coming on home ice.
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Blue Jackets at Hurricanes picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 4, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s just too risky on Opening Night, even if Carolina should be able to push past Columbus with relative ease.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The HURRICANES -1.5 (-105) are a much better play on the puck line at near even money. However, with 2 top-notch goaltenders, this might be a rather low-scoring game until Carolina is able to pull away in the 3rd period. Go lightly, and play the total a little heavier.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-130) is the best play on the board here. When these teams get together, goals are usually at a premium.
The Under is 19-6-1 in the past 26 meetings in this series, and 15-5-1 in the past 21 battles at PNC Arena. With Andersen healthy again, and the team adding D Brent Burns to the defensive corps along with D Jaccob Slavin, the Carolina defense should be stout in this one.
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