October is here, and it’s almost time for the best time of the year for sports fans: football is in full swing, baseball is entering the post-season, the World Cup of Soccer is around the corner, Formula 1 is entering its epic night-race-filled conclusion, basketball, and most importantly, hockey is about to begin regular season play.
NHL Standings
While the NHL standings might not count, we’re going to break down everything Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets betting-related for Monday night’s NHL preseason matchup.
The Hurricanes and Blue Jackets will meet to open the NHL regular season on October 12th. So, we still have a week before the NHL season begins for 30 of the 32 NHL teams, meaning the lineups and Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets betting information is somewhat unclear.
Regardless, we’ll preview this matchup, so you are prepared to make a selection when the lineups and latest betting odds are released or updated.
NHL Teams’ Previous Records
The Columbus Blue Jackets enter their sixth (of eight) preseason game with a 3-1-1 (W-L- OTL) record. In their last game, the Blue Jackets defeated the Washington Capitals 2-1, on the strength of starting goaltender Elvis Merzlikins 34 save performance.
The Carolina Hurricanes will enter Monday night’s preseason matchup with a 3-0-0 (W-L-OTL) record. Carolina was only scheduled for six preseason matchups, one of which (against the Tampa Bay Lightning) was canceled due to Hurricane Ian.
In their last outing, the Hurricanes defeated the Florida Panthers 4-3 on October 1st.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Analysis
Carolina Hurricanes
Despite winning the Metropolitan division in 2021-2022, the Carolina Hurricanes made significant off-season acquisitions, trying to assert themselves as a stronger contender at the top of the NHL’s competitive Eastern Conference.
If Carolina wants to have a deep run in the playoffs in the spring, they’ll need to be better to fight against:
- Florida Panthers
- New York Rangers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- the perennial Stanley Cup contender Tampa Bay Lightning
Off-season Acquisitions
The Hurricanes hope major off-season acquisitions of Max Pacioretty from the Vegas Golden Knights and Brett Burns from the San Jose Sharks can help the Canes’ power play and strengthen Carolina for a deep playoff run. Burns’ impact is already being felt during the preseason.
In their last preseason game, the Hurricanes defeated the Florida Panthers with Burns leading the way. Burns scored two goals, while regular offensive contributors Martin Necas and Andrei Svechnikov contributed one goal and one assist each.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping that Johnny Hockey can be the piece to build a contender around. Columbus made a huge and unexpected splash in free agency by signing Johnny Gaudreau after the 115-point scoring winger walked away from the Calgary Flames and failed negotiations with the New Jersey Devils.
NHL’s Eastern Conference
Gaudreau is the first piece toward Columbus becoming a contender amongst the powerhouses that dominate the NHL’s Eastern Conference. In their last game, the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Washington Capitals 2-1.
Blue Jackets’ 2020 first-round pick Yegor Chinakhov scored his third goal of the preseason to help secure the victory, alongside Merzlikins’ outstanding performance.
Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets Betting Preview
On the online sportsbooks with the Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets betting odds listed, the Carolina Hurricanes are the betting favorite on the money line, listed between -222 and -244. The Columbus Blue Jackets are listed between +170 to +200.
The puck line spread (point spread) is set at 1.5. The Blue Jackets are the betting favorite on puck line spread, listed between -130 and -141, while the Hurricanes are listed between +100 and +110.
The total goals is set at 6.5. The over is listed between -110 and -125, while the under is listed between +105 and -105.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Prediction
Despite this being a preseason game and not having much information for this Hurricanes vs Blue Jackets betting preview, we can still make Blue Jackets predictions. Namely, we’re predicting the Carolina Hurricanes to win this game.
The Carolina Hurricanes are the better team on paper, and if their roster Monday night resembles their opening night roster, Carolina should win this game.
That is unless Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo has an incredible performance in goal for the Blue Jackets.
The total goals seem a little high, so the under might be the better bet. However, we’re not committing to a total goal bet until we know who is in the net for the Hurricanes and the Blue Jackets.
Most Profitable Team for this Matchup
We are picking the Carolina Hurricanes to win, so a selection on the moneyline makes sense.
However, our Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets betting pick is to take the Hurricanes to cover the puck-line spread of -1.5 at super-favorable odds between +100 and +110.
This pick is conditional on who will be in each team’s lineup and who will be starting between the pipes.
NHL Pick: Hurricanes (-250)
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