Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, the team here at Last Word on Hockey will dive deep into analysis for any given game to give you the scoop on what elements can change the outcome. Today, we’re taking a look at the contest between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Carolina Hurricanes. Be sure to keep an eye on our other NHL Predictions as the season presses on.
NHL Predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: FDSNSO, FDSNOH, ESPN+
Wrapping up their season series with each other, the Columbus Blue Jackets will face off against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. Currently, the Canes are 1-0-2 in the series, with both teams being the winners on their own home ice. It is set to be an especially festive evening as the Carolina Hurricanes are hosting their annual Star Wars Night.
The Carolina Story
Starting off this set of NHL Predictions, we’ll discuss the home team – where they’re at and where they’ve been. Quite frankly, the Carolina Hurricanes have been having a wild season of ups and downs. Inconsistency and injuries have been a struggle throughout the first half of the season, While the first quarter of the season was above-average play, it dwindled to below-average towards the end of November. Nonetheless, despite the struggles, they’ve slowly but surely been returning to form. Perhaps not what they once were, they appear to be digging in and returning to average.
Going into this game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they will be sitting on a three-game winning streak – with two of the three being in the top three of their divisions. The Canes have not had a winning streak of that length since mid-November, and not one of that strength all season. A large portion of that credit goes to the forwards, who have since stepped it up after dealing with poor puck management and the inability to convert shots into scores. Additionally, goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov has continued to be reliable in the crease, displaying outstanding saves. In Tuesday night’s game against the Dallas Stars, Kochetkov was outstanding, making 22 saves on 21 shots in what was Rod Brind’Amour‘s 500th game as Carolina’s head coach.
Pyotr Kochetkov is a mad man!
Not every day you see a goalie do THAT!#RaiseUp #TexasHockey #NHL pic.twitter.com/Pw9sBNF4OH— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) January 22, 2025
The Columbus Story
The Columbus Blue Jackets have not failed to be impressive this season, performing above expectation. They’ve truly become one of the biggest stories of this season as a breakout team amidst tragedy and dilemma. Despite currently sitting on a two-game losing streak, it comes after having been on a dynamic six-game winning streak. The heater led not only to some much-needed energy for the team, but also shot them up to a position for potential playoff contention, now being only a few points away from a wild card spot.
While they have picked up steam, including the aforementioned winning streak, a significant component of the team has been missing. Sean Monohan, who has been out with an injured wrist since January 7, is unlikely to make it for this game. In the season series with the Canes, Monohan has had one goal and four assists for five points. He is tied with Kirill Marchenko for the team lead against the Canes, with Marchenko having scored four goals and given one assist. Rookie defenceman Denton Mateychuk is expected to miss the game, as he came down with an illness. And finally, Elvis Merzlikins may be someone to keep an eye on after a potential injury during practice. Despite these unfortunate circumstances, the Blue Jackets have still done well with their extra players in Luca Del Bel Belluz and Jack Johnson, and backup goaltender Daniil Tarasov.
#CBJ goalie Elvis Merzlikins was in the starter’s net at morning skate. Looked like he tweaked something at one point making a save and went to the bench for a few minutes but returned to the ice to finish the skate. Dean Evason did media before talking to trainers, so no update.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 22, 2025
NHL Predictions Featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Carolina Hurricanes
In this game, we will be seeing two teams who have been turning on the afterburners after a sluggish mid-season. Considering Carolina’s desire to maintain their spot in second in the Metropolitan Division, and Columbus’ desire to reach a wild card spot, both teams should have urgency. Despite where the season is at this point, a win here for either team is crucial to get a better hold on their positioning in the standings and to build confidence for the games to come.
In most standard stats, the Carolina Hurricanes are ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, there are some in which they’re similar, which say quite a bit about their game. Both teams are well above the league average in goals for, with an average of over 3.25 per game, as well as shorthanded goals. Due to this, they also put a lot of shots on goal, so both teams will need to take care to guard their goaltenders. In terms of goaltenders, Carolina and Columbus are slightly below average in save percentage.
Expected to play against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first half of their back-to-back is Merzlikins. However, as mentioned earlier, that remains in question after leaving practice early. Should he play against the Leafs, they may choose to rest him against the Canes. In all previous games with the Canes this season, Merzlikins has been the starting goaltender. With that considered, Tarasov taking the crease may make an impact on the game’s outcome. On the flip side, one would believe that the Canes’ netminder would be Pyotr Kochetkov, considering the matchup, his recent play, and two rested days. Nonetheless, it would not be a shocker for the coaching staff to put in Frederik Andersen to mind the twine to give him more ice time. Of course, be sure to check the official lineup before placing any wagers.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-3
Your Nightly Bets
For the Carolina Hurricanes, considering Seth Jarvis and Jesperi Kotkaniemi as goalscorers could be worthwhile. Jarvis has been having a pretty grand first month of 2025, leading the team in scoring. Meanwhile, Kotkaniemi has been nothing short of entertaining. Currently, he sits on a two-game goal streak (with two scored in the Canes’ previous outing against the Dallas Stars).
As for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Kent Johnson and Dmitri Voronkov. Johnson has been doing well recently. In his past four games, he has put 13 shots on goal. Meanwhile, in his past three games, he has scored twice. On the other hand, Voronkov has been in a bit of a goal drought, having been unable to light the lamp in his past six games. Despite that, he has put 16 shots on goal in that span. Additionally, he has played well against the Canes throughout the season series, scoring at least once in each of their past three games.
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Main Photo by Russell LaBounty
The post NHL Predictions: January 23 Columbus Blue Jackets VS. Carolina Hurricanes appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.