Carolina Hurricanes vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 2/29/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Carolina Hurricanes vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: ESPN+/Hulu

Odds/Point Spread: Hurricanes (-235) Blue Jackets (+188)

Nationwide Arena is the location where the Columbus Blue Jackets (19-28-10) will go up against the Carolina Hurricanes (35-18-6) on Thursday. The moneyline on this game has the Hurricanes at -235 while the Blue Jackets are coming in at +188. The total comes in at 7.

The Carolina Hurricanes were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 win against the Wild their last time on the ice. Carolina accrued 8 minutes in the box in this game. The Hurricanes offense didn't overly impress in the victory. Additionally, they had 2 power play tries but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. For the outing, they converted 3 out of the 28 shots they put on net.

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With regard to their scoring capabilities, the Carolina Hurricanes have accumulated 193 goals (12th in pro hockey) on the year and have given up 161. For the current season, they have earned 76 points and their points percentage sits at .644. Carolina has tallied 184 power play chances and they have scored 50 goals during those chances, earning them a rate of 27.17%. When playing at even strength, the Hurricanes have surrendered 132 goals while notching 143 on the offensive side of the ice. Carolina has attempted 1,924 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.0%. The Hurricanes have seen 1,505 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .893. Carolina Hurricanes opponents have totaled 188 power play opportunities (11th in hockey) and have a total of 29 goals in those attempts.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Pyotr Kochetkov. Opponents have been able to score 130 goals versus Kochetkov in his professional career and his goals against rate is 2.39. Kochetkov has played in 58 games during his NHL career. His save percentage is at .910 for his 3,265 minutes on the ice. He has an overall mark of 31-17-8 and he was named the starter in 54 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Kochetkov is sitting with 32 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .593. Kochetkov has seen 1,442 shots taken against him and he has 1,312 total saves.

Their last time out, Columbus faced off against the Rangers in a game where the Blue Jackets earned a victory by a final score of 4-2. They had 3 power play chances in this matchup and netted 1 out of those attempts. The Blue Jackets earned 4 goals of the 41 shots on goal they were seeking.

Columbus has attempted 1,718 shots (24th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 9.78%, while allowing the other team 1,908 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 76.65% on their opponents 167 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 89.0%. They have earned 164 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 14.63%. The Blue Jackets are sitting with 144 goals at even strength and 24 goals (30th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 209 goals to be scored by way of 170 goals at even strength and 39 goals while they were shorthanded. During this campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 168 goals, 48 points, in addition to a points percentage of .421.

Across the rink you will find Elvis Merzlikins patrolling the crease. Merzlikins has amassed a career record of 66-74-29 and has played in 183 contests. Merzlikins' percentage of quality starts comes out to 47.9% and he has 81 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has accounted for 5,049 stops out of 5,577 shots attempted, which gives him a percentage of .905. The opposition is averaging 3.16 goals per game and he has yielded 528 goals overall. He has started in 169 games and has played for a total of 10,017 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+188)

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