The 4 divisions in the NHL have all been fun to watch this season, with only one, the Atlantic Division, decided at this late stage of the season. The Tampa Bay Lightning have that division, as well as the President’s Trophy, all locked up. The remaining 3 are all still up in the air, with the winners of those divisions set to be decided in the final few weeks of the season. One division that has been totally unpredictable is the Metropolitan, as there have been times when it has looked as though no-one wanted to win it. A few teams have spent some time at the top before falling off the pace, which is what happened to the Islanders, who have now given way to the Washington Capitals.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets are now out of the running to win it, with their goal now being just to make the playoffs. Both teams are down in the Wild Card race, so this is a huge game in the quest to be playoff bound. The Blue Jackets are favored by 1 ½ at home, with the O/U for this one set at 5.5.
Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets NHL Week 24 Lines & Expert Pick
#TakeWarning pic.twitter.com/QX5dnK0ZHU
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) 14 de marzo de 2019
- When: Friday, March 15 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus
- TV: NHL Center Ice
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Week 24 Lines: Columbus Blue Jackets -145 (Total 5.5)
Why bet on the Carolina Hurricanes?
The Carolina Hurricanes are currently sitting in the first Wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they are just 2 points up on Columbus, so we may see a little bit of a position swap going on here. Depending on how things play out, one of these teams could drop below the line, as the Montreal Canadiens are also hot on the heels of these two.
The Hurricanes are on a very good run of form at the moment, coming into this one with back to back wins, as well as going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. If they can maintain that form, they may just catch the Pittsburgh Penguins in the #3 spot in the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes have been good on the road, going 20-13-3, but are just 16-20 ATS on the road.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.01
- Shots: 34.67
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.41
Defense
- Goals: 2.77
- Shots: 28.42
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.10
Why bet on the Columbus Blue Jackets?
The Columbus Blue Jackets are clinging to the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they are not likely to stay there if they don’t improve on their current run of form, which has seen them go 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Blue Jackets do have a winning record at home, going 19-16-2, but they actually have one more win on the road this season, so we are not really looking at a serious home-ice advantage for them here.
While this series has essentially been split over their last bunch of meetings, the Blue Jackets are in a bit of a hole when talking about the spread. They have gone just 1-6 ATS in the last 7 visits by Carolina and are 14-23 ATS in all home games this season.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.09
- Shots: 31.81
- PP/PK Percentage: 15.15
Defense
- Goals: 2.97
- Shots: 29.49
- PP/PK Percentage: 15.22
Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets NHL Week 24 Betting Trends
- Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Carolina is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina’s last 6 games on the road
- Columbus is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games at home
- Columbus is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Carolina
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus’s last 6 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets
It’s tough to ignore just how effective the Hurricanes have been ATS in their most recent visits to Columbus, which is why taking Carolina ATS is the best bet here. I also like them to win SU.
Score: Carolina Hurricanes 3 – Columbus Blue Jackets 2
