Blue Jackets vs Hurricanes Prediction 4/2/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Blue Jackets vs Hurricanes prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, April 2nd at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 38-25-12 this season after they lost to the Hurricanes by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Columbus erased a 2-0 deficit early in the third period, but they allowed the last three goals for the loss. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 33-25, won 39.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Fantilli and Marchenko, while Greaves stopped 28 out of 32 shots, which was an .875 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Columbus lost to the Bruins by a score of 4-3 and the Sharks by a score of 3-2. The Blue Jackets have lost four games in a row and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 88 points. Columbus has scored 3.11 goals per game and they have allowed 3.05 goals against per game, while also going 19.9% on the power play and 76.4% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 21 goals and 57 assists, while Kirill Marchenko has added 26 goals and 37 assists. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Jet Greaves, who is 24-15-9 with a 2.59 goals against average and a .909 save percentage this season. 

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes are 47-21-6 this year after they defeated the Blue Jackets by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Carolina led 2-0 after the first period and they added three more in the third to get the much needed win. The Hurricanes out shot Columbus by a total of 33-25, won 60.7% of the face-offs, and went 3-5 on the power play in the game. Carolina got goals from Ehlers, Martinook, Stankoven, Svechnikov, and Gostisbehere, while Bussi stopped 23 out of 25 shots, which was a .920 save percentage.

Prior to that game, Carolina lost to the Canadiens by a score of 3-1, but did beat the Devils by a score of 5-2 before that. The Hurricanes have won five of their last seven games and they are currently first in the Metro standings with 100 points. Carolina has scored 3.49 goals per game and they have allowed 2.91 goals against per game, while also going 24.6% on the power play and 80.6% on the penalty kill this season. Sebastian Aho has led Carolina with 25 goals and 50 assists, while Andrei Svechnikov has added 27 goals and 37 assists. The projected starting goalie for Carolina is Frederik Andersen, who is 13-13-5 with a 3.16 goals against average and an .871 save percentage this year. 

Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win

• The Hurricanes have won each of their last seven home games against the Blue Jackets.
• The Blue Jackets have lost eight of their last nine games at Lenovo Center.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight night games following a loss.
• The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in each of their last five home games against the Blue Jackets following a road win.
• The home team has won the third period in eight of the last nine games between the Blue Jackets and Hurricanes.

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The Blue Jackets have won three of their last four games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Hurricanes have lost each of their last three night games following a road win.
• The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in 12 of their last 13 games at Lenovo Center following a road win.
• The road team has covered the puck line in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games.
• The Hurricanes have lost the second period in five of their last six night games at Lenovo Center when leading after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Ten of the Blue Jackets’ last 11 night games at Lenovo Center have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Eight of the Hurricanes’ last nine night games against Eastern Conference opponents at Lenovo Center have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Four of the last five night games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Hurricanes’ last nine games as favorites against the Blue Jackets.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in six of the Blue Jackets’ last seven games as road underdogs.

Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts

• Jesperi Kotkaniemi has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances against the Blue Jackets.
• Nikolaj Ehlers has recorded at least one assist in each of the Hurricanes’ last seven games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Dmitri Voronkov has scored a goal in each of his last five appearances with the Blue Jackets as underdogs against the Hurricanes.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in nine of his last 11 appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Blue Jackets vs Hurricanes Prediction 

Carolina just defeated Columbus by a score of 5-2 in their last game, but they will be at home for this one. The Hurricanes are 26-10-2 at home this year, while the Blue Jackets are 18-15-4 on the road. Columbus has lost four games in a row and they have scored two goals or fewer in three of those four. The Blue Jackets are in the playoff race in the East, but they need to find some wins quickly. I think Columbus is a very decent team, but they aren’t playing well and Carolina is very tough to play against. Take the Hurricanes -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Hurricanes -1.5