Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Columbus Gets Burnt on Back-to-Back

The Columbus Blue Jackets find themselves in a dreadful back-to-back spot against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday after losing 4-1 to the New York Rangers on the road Wednesday.

Carolina is rested, and the Hurricanes are trading among the favorites in the Stanley Cup odds. It’s just the opposite for Columbus. The Blue Jackets sit in the basement of the Metropolitan Division, and they’re expected to trade away talent ahead of the March 8 trade deadline.

It all adds up to the Hurricanes trading as an unsurprising huge road favorite in the NHL odds.

Here are our free NHL picks for the Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets clash on Thursday, February 29.

Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets odds

Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets predictions

The biggest question mark for this game, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, is whether backup goalie Daniil Tarasov can hold up against the relentless attack of the Carolina Hurricanes. Tarasov has impressively turned away 62 of 66 shots (.939 save percentage) across his past two starts, but the mini-heater has only improved him to a .890 SV%, 3.79 GAA, and -13.4 goals saved above average across 30 appearances the past two years.

Additionally, Columbus has only won eight of Tarasov’s 32 career starts, and the highlighted past two games were against the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres. The Hurricanes are an uptick in class compared to those two offenses.

Carolina has also received tidy goaltending from Pyotr Kochetkov since he returned from a concussion and AHL stint. The 24-year-old Russian sports a 5-3 record, .940 SV%, 1.71 GAA, and he’s allowed two goals or fewer in six of those eight starts.

Of course, Kochetkov’s rock-solid results are impacted by the Hurricanes pacing the league in Corsi For percentage (57.5%) while surrendering the fewest expected goals per 60 minutes (2.03) at five-on-five and ranking sixth in penalty-kill percentage (86.1%) out of the All-Star break.

I value the noted schedule-spot advantage for the Hurricanes, too. They were waiting in Columbus while the Jackets were playing at Madison Square Garden last night. The short turnaround against a stingy Carolina defense and scorching Kochetkov will be too much to overcome. 

Finally, a quick peek at my ratings highlights enough of a mismatch to look to the puck line. Carolina ranks second in offense and third in defense, and Columbus, respectively, sits 23rd and 24th.

My best bet: Hurricanes -1.5 (-101 at Pinnacle)

Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets same-game parlay

Hurricanes -1.5

Brent Burns 3+ shots

+268 at FanDuel

I’m targeting Brent Burns in the second leg of this FanDuel same-game parlay because his shot metrics are way out of whack across the past six games. He’s registered just six shots and 2.72 per 60 minutes despite 38 attempts and 17.21 per 60. For comparison, Burns recorded 6.9 shots and 19.36 attempts per 60 through the first 53 games of the year, so this is a clear example of a high-volume shooter just failing to hit the net of late.

With the Blue Jackets allowing the sixth-most shot attempts to defensemen this season and the fifth-most across their past 10 games, this is the perfect spot for statistical correction to kick in. And, especially with Columbus in the noted tough schedule spot.

I also recommend placing this bet through FanDuel because it is trading at just +250 through bet365. The difference in the +268 odds and the bet365 number is a positive expected value of 5%.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets moneyline and Over/Under analysis

There’s been limited movement to both the moneyline and total for this game. Carolina opened at -249 through Pinnacle, and the number is -258 as of Thursday afternoon. There was also a similar adjustment at bet365. 

It’s important to highlight that a 10-cent move at those prices is far less meaningful than a move from -110 to -120. For reference, the Pinnacle move changes the implied probability of Carolina winning by just 0.8%, while the -110 to -120 example represents a change in implied probability of 2.1%.

The total is a consensus 6.5, with the Under carrying the higher vig. I don’t anticipate any meaningful movement to the number, either. 

Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets betting trend to know

Carolina has won eight of its past 10 road games, and Columbus has dropped 10 of its past 13 on home ice. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets.

Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets game info

Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets latest injuries

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