The Carolina Hurricanes (52-22-7) and Columbus Blue Jackets (26-43-12) meet Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Hurricanes lead 3-0
The Hurricanes sit with 111 points, tied for the 2nd-most points in the NHL. However, Carolina will fall short of the Metropolitan Division title, as the New York Rangers secured that and the President’s Trophy with a win Monday night. The Canes are locked into the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, and they’ll face the New York Islanders in the 1st round of the playoffs.
The Blue Jackets had a dismal season, producing just a conference-low 64 points, which is 11 worse than the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference. It was the 4th-lowest point total in the NHL, too.
Columbus has dropped 4 in a row, including shutout losses at Carolina April 7 and at Florida April 11.
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Hurricanes at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:05 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Blue Jackets +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (+150) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-185)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Hurricanes at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Spencer Martin (7-8-2, 3.14 GAA, .896 SV%) vs. Jet Greaves (2-6-0, 3.55 GAA, .906 SV%)
Martin, the former Blue Jackets backstop, is expected to get the nod for the Hurricanes now that the division title is off the table and Carolina is locked into the 2nd spot in the Metro, as there is no sense risking Frederik Andersen or Pyotr Kochetkov in what is essentially a meaningless game.
Greaves was pounded for 6 runs on 37 shots in a 6-4 loss in Nashville last time out Saturday. He is getting a long look down the stretch, and lately he hasn’t fared tremendously well. Greaves has lost 3 straight starts, allowing 4 or more goals in those outings.
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Hurricanes at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 4, Blue Jackets 3
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-160) will be a lot less motivated to get the job done Tuesday, with a division title no longer on the table. However, Carolina should still be able to generate plenty of offense against the very giving Greaves of the Blue Jackets (+135)
PASS, and look to the puck line instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
The BLUE JACKETS +1.5 (-185) are worth backing lightly if you’d like a little insurance at Nationwide Arena, rather than backing the moderate favorites straight up. Columbus is not a good team, but the Hurricanes -1.5 (+150) might have a little less wind in their sails after losing out on the division title while likely using a 3rd-string tendy.
Over/Under
OVER 6 (-105) might be the best play here, as we have a 3rd-string goaltender going for the visitors, while the home side uses Greaves, who has been peppered for 14 goals across the past 3 starts, all losses.
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