Columbus
Blue Jackets
5-5-0
Moneyline
+190
NHL Predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Carolina Hurricanes Predictions
Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 7:00pm EST at Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
@
Carolina
Hurricanes
10-2-2
Moneyline
-230
50%
50%
Spread
Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5
Carolina Hurricanes -1.5
Moneyline
Columbus Blue Jackets +190
Carolina Hurricanes -230
Total
Over 6.5 (+114)
Under 6.5 (-135)
Who wins this game?
Professional Picks
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Blue Jackets vs. Hurricanes Prediction: Carolina Is the Likely Winner, but Pass at -230
Analysis updated October 29, 2026 at 1:05 AM CDT
The Hurricanes have won two straight and face the NHL’s lowest-scoring team, but injuries and an unsettled goalie decision make the favorite’s price difficult to justify.
Columbus’ scoring problems favor Carolina
Carolina enters Thursday’s home game at 10-2-2 after consecutive wins, including a 2-1 victory over Boston on October 27. Columbus is 5-5-0 and has scored an NHL-low 25 goals, giving the Hurricanes the clearest matchup advantage behind their -230 moneyline.
Columbus’ special teams offer little reason to back the +190 underdog. The Blue Jackets’ power play ranks 30th at 11.1%, while their penalty kill ranks 23rd at 72.7%, according to the official Carolina Hurricanes / NHL.com game preview. Their 54.8% faceoff rate, tied for third in the league, is a strength, but it hasn’t translated into consistent scoring.
Why the price is still a pass
Carolina hadn’t confirmed its starting goalie. Pyotr Kochetkov has a 1.62 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage, but Brandon Bussi could start if the Hurricanes continue their recent rotation. That uncertainty matters when a bettor must risk $230 to win $100.
The Hurricanes are also without Jordan Staal, who is on injured reserve with a calf tear, while Taylor Hall is expected to miss time. Carolina remains the likely winner, but those absences and the unconfirmed goalie make -230 too costly. The available evidence also doesn’t justify laying 1.5 goals, so the best pregame decision is to pass.
Pick
Carolina Hurricanes
Confidence
medium
Betting lean
Pass