Columbus Blue Jackets @ Carolina Hurricanes - January 23, 2025

Alright, folks, let’s dive into this matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Carolina Hurricanes. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride at Lenovo Center!

The Hurricanes come in as hefty favorites with a -256 moneyline. They’ve been riding high lately, having pulled off a solid 2-1 victory against the Stars on the road. While they’ve been inconsistent against the spread—1-4 ATS in their last five—their overall record (26-15-3) is impressive. Offensively, Carolina averages about 3.3 goals per game with a shooting percentage of around 10.4%. Their power play isn’t too shabby either, converting just over 20% of chances into goals.

Now, let’s not overlook the Blue Jackets. They’ve turned things around dramatically with five straight wins under their belt! At 21-17-6, they’re sitting pretty and seem to have found their rhythm. Columbus scores about 3.3 goals per game as well but boasts a slightly better power play percentage at around 23%. What stands out is their recent form; they’re an impressive 8-1 ATS in their last nine games and have gone UNDER in all of their last five matchups.

Here’s where my betting instincts kick in: while I believe Carolina takes this one home due to their overall talent and depth, I see Columbus covering that spread tonight. The Blue Jackets are on fire right now, and that momentum can be contagious—even against a powerhouse like Carolina.

When we look at both teams defensively, Carolina has an edge with an 89.1% save percentage compared to Columbus’ 88.5%. However, Columbus’ penalty kill leaves much to be desired at just under 75%, which could be pivotal if they find themselves on the wrong side of special teams tonight.

Given both teams’ trends towards lower scoring recently—Carolina has seen four of its last six go UNDER while Columbus has hit the UNDER in five straight—I’m leaning heavily towards an UNDER outcome for this game as well.

So here’s how I see it playing out: Carolina edges out a win but expect a close scoreline that allows Columbus to cover that spread comfortably. With both teams trending towards low-scoring affairs lately and strong defensive efforts from both sides—especially from Carolina—I’m predicting something like a tight finish around 3-2 or even lower.

As always, remember my little superstitions before placing your bets: wear your lucky socks or take that extra sip of your favorite drink before you lock in those wagers! Good luck out there; may your bets be ever in your favor!