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 Carolina Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Be sure to keep an eye on our other NHL Predictions as the season presses on.
Time: 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: FDSNSO, FDSNOH, ESPN+
The Carolina Hurricanes are headed to Ohio for a division matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets on New Year’s Eve. It will be their third game with each other this season. Their previous two games are split in wins, with both teams having won in their own home stadiums. The first matchup saw Columbus win 5-4 in a shootout, while the second contest Carolina won 4-1.
We have to discuss Saturday night’s record-breaking game with the Canes. The action-packed sixty minutes brought a lot to discuss, honestly what could be considered as too much to discuss. But we’ll try our best for you, dear reader.
The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils rivalry is alive and well. One might have thought this was the playoffs considering the sheer amount of tension and physicality throughout the game. It truly evoked memories of the early 2000s battles the two teams waged on the ice. The final score was something unexpected, and the happenings which took place were headliners, to say the least.
The first period of the game was quiet with no goals and only a single penalty against New Jersey. The second period, however, saw the spark light for both teams as Paul Cotter got an early goal for the visitors and Dmitry Orlov scored a late goal for the home team. The frame had some very wild moments, too.
In a sad turn of events, Brett Pesce’s first game back in the stadium he played home games in for nine seasons ended up with a stinger as he left the ice after taking a puck to the mouth. However, despite the injury he managed to return and play the rest of the game. The penalty kill for both teams displayed efficient shorthanded scoring chances. Furthermore, the final five minutes of the period had a true rarity, as Jaccob Slavin found himself in the penalty box – an uncommon sight for the two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner.
The final frame of the game was dramatic, chaotic, and pure entertainment. Soon into the explosive third period, Ondrej Palat got the go-ahead goal for the New Jersey Devils. However, it was answered by Sebastian Aho who scored just 51 seconds later. Roughly five minutes later, a knee-to-knee collision with Martin Nečas led to Timo Meier being ejected from the game and a power play game-winning goal from Jackson Blake.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. A few minutes later, Erik Haula completed a hit to Dmitry Orlov’s head, which put him into the boards and on his knees with an assumed broken nose. This led to a scrum among the team for the dirty hit, which ended with Orlov coming right back from by the bench to mix it up with Haula, pinning him to the ice. Both players received a matching minor penalty for roughing and the teams resumed play. Jack Roslovic soon scored for the two-point lead, and later put the puck into the empty net after having rang the iron moments before. The final score was 5-2 in Carolina’s favour as both teams finished their four games of the regular season with each other tied with two home wins apiece.
With 41 hits, the game was the most physical that the Carolina Hurricanes have played in the regular season, since January 29, 2022, which was ironically against the New Jersey Devils, while also being the fifth most hits from the Canes since Rod Brind’Amour began coaching. During the game, Brent Burns notched a point in his 200th regular season game in a Canes sweater. Additionally, Ty Smith played his first game with the Canes (which was against the team which drafted him) and Seth Jarvis had his first three-point assist game in his career. Rod Brind’Amour made history as the quickest NHL Head Coach to 300 wins, accomplishing the feat in 488 games. The record was previously held by Bruce Boudreau who did it in 496 games.
You want Orlov? Come and get it ? pic.twitter.com/eiRKtMmMiJ
— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) December 29, 2024
It has been a rough season for the Blue Jackets. Currently, they sit with the bottom group of the Metropolitan Division and only have a win percentage of .486. Their last ten games have also been tough with a 3-4-3 record.
Friday was one heck of a game as the Blue Jackets put up a 6-2 score in Nationwide Arena against the Boston Bruins. However, on Saturday, it wasn’t all sunshine and flowers as the Columbus Blue Jackets took them on in TD Garden. The Blue Jackets came up with blanks as they found themselves on the receiving end of a Jeremy Swayman shutout.
In the first few minutes of the opening frame, the B’s got the leg-up as Justin Brazeau snuck a backhander into the net. Then a little way into the second period Morgan Geekie rocked a wrister past Daniil Tarasov. Less than two minutes later, David Pastrňák got in on the action with his 13th goal of the season. As the third period was played, Cole Koepke got the last word with his own wrister. Despite the scoring opportunities they found, the Blue Jackets were unable to convert any of them into goals and ultimately lost the game with a 4-0 score.
“We’re all eager to learn and improve.”
Dante believes in the team’s “hard-nosed” style of play. Hear more from him, Ollie, and Dean Evason in tonight’s postgame media?
? https://t.co/nO0OU0vVkg pic.twitter.com/YR4izKnk4D
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 29, 2024
As mentioned previously, both of these teams have won each game against each other while playing in their home arena. With Carolina flying high off a front-page win against the Metropolitan Division-leading New Jersey Devils and Columbus eager to turn the page on their shutout loss, this will certainly be an interesting game. The Blue Jackets are speedy and hard-working, with the previous game showing off eight takeaways from Boston and 22 hits.
Meanwhile, the Canes are typically big on offence, with their last game recording 41 shots against New Jersey and going one-for-four on the Power Play. Stats lean in the Canes’ favour, but looks can be deceiving when figuring in their rocket of an early season and the slump they’re trying to dig out of. Considering the way both teams have been playing, it is likely for the Canes to take the win, but don’t count the Jackets out. Either of these teams have the grit to get one more win before the ball drops and the confetti rains down to welcome the new year.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2
Carolina’s goalscoring here lately has been a bit unpredictable and a lot of different names have landed on the scoresheet, including players like Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov, and William Carrier. In the previous game, defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere was out with an upper-body injury and Ty Smith made his debut filling his spot. If Gostisbehere makes a return for tonight’s game, I would consider keeping an eye on him for betting, but if he does not play, I would look at Ty Smith or the other half of the pair, Sean Walker. As mentioned in previous NHL Predictions’ recommendations, the blueliners and support-type players are definitely worth checking out. Additionally, Ohio’s own Jack Roslovic has done well against Columbus in previous games. Considering he now tops the list of goalscorers for the Canes, he may be worth considering for a good wager.
In Columbus, Kirill Marchenko just slid off of his seven-game point streak, with three of the latest games all containing a goal from him. He leads the team in goals and has been pretty consistent in scoring across games. For a sleeper pick, take a look at Ivan Provorov. The adroit defenceman has elite skating and control and could be just the one to squeak in a quick goal, much like he did last time they played New Jersey. It could certainly be interesting!
With that being said, from us here at Last Word On Sports, have a blessed and happy New Year!
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Main Photo: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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