NHL Predictions:

Just five games on the NHL schedule today and it’s not the most attractive betting card. Going to keep it very light as every game involves teams on back-to-backs and three of the games feature both teams playing on consecutive days.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes (-375, 6.5)

5 p.m. ET

 

Wins have been hard to come by for both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes. The Jackets have lost six of seven and the Canes have dropped five of seven. Columbus blew leads of 2-1 and 3-2 on Saturday before losing 4-3 in Overtime at home to the Anaheim Ducks. The Canes were blanked 3-0 at home by Ottawa on Friday, It’s the second time they have been shutout this season. The previous time was 6-0 to Florida and they followed that loss with a 4-2 defeat to the Seattle Kraken.

Even though Carolina has only two wins in their last seven games, they opened as a -320 favorite and continued taking money, driving the line up to -375. When you refer to our VSIN Betting Splits page, the Hurricanes are taking in 94% of the bets and 89% of the money. I find zero value in playing the Canes on the moneyline today. Here’s how I will approach betting on this game. Our system plays a goal to be scored in the first 10 minutes of the game and the 1st period Over 1.5 goals is in effect. Following a game where a team has been shutout, a goal in the first 10 minutes is 36-16 and the first period Over 1.5 is 32-20 this season. Carolina cashed both these props in the game against Seattle that I referenced earlier. The Canes are also 11-4 to the first period Over on home ice.

The Blue Jackets are 0-4 this season in the second half of back-to-backs. They have scored two goals or less in each of the four losses (7-2, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2) and lost three of the games by 3 or more goals. Columbus has lost three of their past four road games, each loss by three goals.

NHL Predictions: Jackets/Canes Goal in the 1st 10 minutes (-165) – 1.5 units  

                        Jackets/Canes 1st period Over 1.5 (-155) – 1.5 units

                        Hurricanes -2.5 goals (+145) – ½ unit

Best of the Rest:

Toronto Maple Leafs 1st Period (-1/2 goal) +135 – 1 unit

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