The Carolina Hurricanes (25-9-7) take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (12-26-2) Thursday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 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.
The Hurricanes were dropped 5-3 at home against the New Jersey Devils Tuesday, blowing a 3-1 lead. Carolina let in 2 quick goals in the final minute to end the 2nd period, and it slipped to 0-3-1 in the last 4 games. The only point out of 8 available came in a 4-3 shootout loss Saturday in Columbus.
The SOW over the Canes is the only victory in the last 5 games for the Blue Jackets, who were doubled up 6-3 in Tampa on Tuesday by the Lightning. That followed up a 1-0 loss at Washington Sunday evening.
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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 12:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -320 (bet $320 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +260 (bet $100 to win $260)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (-125) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Hurricanes at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Frederik Andersen (5-3-0, 2.72 GAA, .891 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (4-11-0, 4.62 GAA, .865 SV%)
The 33-year-old Andersen has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since Nov. 6, but he has been practicing, and his return is considered imminent. It comes at a great time, too, as Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov have struggled of late.
Merzlikins, who was signed to a lucrative 5-year extension in September 2021, has really struggled this season. He showed signs of life with 18 saves on 19 shots in a hard-luck 1-0 loss in Washington Sunday, but he was back to being a sieve last time out in Tampa, coughing up 6 goals on 46 shots Tuesday in a 6-3 setback.
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Hurricanes at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 5, Blue Jackets 3
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-320) have been in a bad way lately, grabbing just 1 out of a possible 8 points in an 0-3-1 skid. That includes a SOL to the Blue Jackets (+260) just 5 days ago. Still, Carolina should get a much-needed boost from Andersen’s return, and the offense is still doing its part lately.
Even so, risking 3 times your potential return on an ice-cold team on the road isn’t money well spent.
PASS.
The HURRICANES -1.5 (-125) is a better play on the road. Carolina’s offense has been just fine lately, scoring 3 or more goals in all 4 games during the losing streak, and in 13 straight games since Dec. 15. The problem has been the defense and goalie, but that should be better against 1 of the worst teams in the NHL.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+100) at even-money might be the best opportunity on the board.
These teams just combined for 7 total goals on Saturday in Columbus, and Andersen could return with a little rust after a lengthy layoff. And, as mentioned, Carolina has 3 or more goals in 13 consecutive games, and that’s bad news for Merzlikins, who has coughed up 13 total goals in just 3 January starts.
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