Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets Prediction 3/17/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, March 17th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes are 42-18-6 this year after they defeated the Lightning by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Carolina blew a 2-0 lead in the second period, but they scored twice in the third to get the win. The Hurricanes out shot TB by a total of 35-19, won 53.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Carolina got goals from Aho, Martinook, Stankoven, and Svechnikov, while Andersen stopped 17 out of 19 shots, which was an .895 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Carolina lost to the Blues by a score of 3-1, but did beat the Penguins by a score of 5-4 before that. The Hurricanes have alternated wins and losses over their last five games and they are currently first in the Metro standings with 90 points. Carolina has scored 3.47 goals per game and they have allowed 2.86 goals against per game, while also going 22.0% on the power play and 80.0% on the penalty kill this season. Sebastian Aho has led Carolina with 24 goals and 44 assists, while Andrei Svechnikov has added 24 goals and 34 assists. The projected starting goalie for Carolina is Brandon Bussi, who is 25-5-1 with a 2.37 goals against average and an .899 save percentage this year. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 34-21-11 this season after they defeated the Flyers in a shootout by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Columbus scored four minutes into the first period, but was held scoreless the rest of the way, before getting the win in a shootout. The Blue Jackets out shot Philadelphia by a total of 28-19, won 52.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Columbus got their lone goal from Marchenko, while Greaves stopped 18 out of 19 shots, which was a .947 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Columbus lost to the Panthers by a score of 2-1, but did beat the Lightning by a score of 5-2 before that. The Blue Jackets have lost three of their last five games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 79 points. Columbus has scored 3.12 goals per game and they have allowed 3.14 goals against per game, while also going 20.1% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 20 goals and 48 assists, while Kirill Marchenko has added 25 goals and 32 assists. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Jet Greaves, who is 21-12-8 with a 2.64 goals against average and a .908 save percentage this year. 

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The Blue Jackets have won each of their last three games as home underdogs against the Hurricanes.
• The Hurricanes have lost two of their last three games as favorites.
• The home team has covered the puck line in each of the last seven games between the Hurricanes and Blue Jackets.
• The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in 13 of their last 15 games as favorites following a road win.
• The Hurricanes have lost the second period in each of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Why the Carolina Hurricanes will win

• The Hurricanes have won 10 of their last 11 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last three games after coming off a shootout.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four home games after coming off a shootout.
• The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in four of their last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in each of their last five games as underdogs following an overtime win.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Hurricanes’ last 11 Tuesday games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Seven of the last eight night games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Six of the last seven night games between the Hurricanes and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Hurricanes’ last eight games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five home games against the Hurricanes.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Dmitri Voronkov has scored a goal in each of the Blue Jackets’ last five games as underdogs against the Hurricanes.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances against Eastern Conference opponents at Nationwide Arena.

Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts

• Jesperi Kotkaniemi has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with the Hurricanes as favorites against the Blue Jackets.
• Sebastian Aho has recorded at least one assist in each of the Hurricanes’ last four road games.

Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets Prediction

Columbus comes into this matchup after winning two of their last three games and they have allowed two goals or fewer in three straight games. The Hurricanes are 18-9-4 on the road this year, while the Blue Jackets are 17-8-7 at home. Carolina has alternated wins and losses over their last five games and they have scored at least four goals in four of their last five. The Hurricanes are currently first in the Metro standings and they are very strong on both ends of the ice. Columbus has been great at getting points recently, but we can’t pass up Carolina at this price. Take the Hurricanes here.

David Racey's Pick: Hurricanes ML