The Columbus Blue Jackets (13-10-6), snapping a two-game skid with a gritty shootout win but still inconsistent on the road (5-6-1), face the Carolina Hurricanes (17-9-2) in a Metropolitan Division matchup at Lenovo Center. Carolina, riding a strong home record (10-3-1) and elite forecheck (No. 4 in Corsi For at 55.2%), looks to rebound from a frustrating 4-1 loss to San Jose while dealing with defensive absences. Columbus brings speed up top but ranks 26th in goals against (3.38 GAA), setting up a potential track meet where special teams could swing it—Hurricanes’ power play (15.3%, No. 13) vs. Blue Jackets’ penalty kill (72.2%, No. 27). The first meeting this season revives a series Carolina has owned lately (7-3-0 in last 10).
Game Details
Venue: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
Puckdrop: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+, Hulu
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home Record | Road Record | Metropolitan Division Stand |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 13-10-6 | 8-4-5 | 5-6-1 | 6th |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 17-9-2 | 10-3-1 | 7-6-1 | 2nd |
Columbus ranks No. 18 in goals per game (2.97) with a -11 differential, while Carolina is No. 6 offensively (3.32 GPG) and No. 12 defensively (2.89 GAA), boasting a +15 edge.
Injury Report
Defensive depth is a concern for both, with Carolina’s top-pair absences forcing pairings adjustments and Columbus missing captaincy leadership.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Estimated Return |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Boone Jenner | C | Out (IR) | Upper Body | December 11 |
| Mathieu Olivier | RW | Out (IR) | Upper Body | December 9 | |
| Erik Gudbranson | D | Out (IR) | Hip | December 13 | |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Jaccob Slavin | D | Out (IR) | Lower Body | December 9 (or longer) |
| Charles-Alexis Legault | D | Out (IR) | Hand (tendon repair) | March 2026 (3-4 months) |
Jenner’s absence (3G-7A in 16 GP) depletes Columbus’ top-six grit; Olivier’s physicality (9P in 23 GP) is missed on the wing. Slavin’s shutdown role (elite + player) elevates Scott Morrow to top-four duties for Carolina, while Legault’s long-term IR thins the bottom pair.
Recent Team Forms
Columbus has been streaky (3-3-4 last 10), with shootout drama but defensive leaks (15 GA in last five). Carolina’s home dominance (5-1-1 last seven) masks a recent dip (2-3-0), allowing 3.0 GPG in losses.
Columbus Blue Jackets Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 7 | @ WSH | L 0-2 | Shutout; Merzlikins 28 saves, 0/2 PP |
| Dec. 6 | @ FLA | L 6-7 (OT) | High-scoring; Monahan 2G, blew 4-2 lead |
| Dec. 4 | vs. DET | W 5-6 (SO) | Coyle GW SO; 1/4 PP, 35 SOG |
| Dec. 1 | @ NJD | W 3-5 | Wait, W 5-3; Werenski 2A, comeback win |
| Nov. 28 | vs. PIT | L 3-4 (OT) | Monahan G; OT loss, 28 SOG |
Form: 2-3-0 (ATS: 3-2). Blue Jackets 3-2 SU in last five road, averaging 3.6 GPG.
Carolina Hurricanes Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 7 | vs. SJS | L 1-4 | Staal G; Kochetkov pulled, 0/3 PP |
| Dec. 5 | vs. ? | L 1-5 | Defensive woes; 1/4 PP |
| Dec. 2 | vs. ? | W 3-6 | Aho 2A; Strong rush, 2/3 PK |
| Dec. 1 | @ ? | W 0-1 (OT) | Bussi shutout; Clutch win |
| Nov. 29 | vs. ? | W 1-5 | Jarvis G; Dominant home |
Form: 2-3-0 (ATS: 2-3). Hurricanes 5-2 SU in last seven home, overs in 3 of 5 (avg. 6.4 goals).
Series History
Carolina holds a commanding all-time edge since Columbus’ 2000 entry, winning 36 of 65 regular-season meetings (55.4%). The Hurricanes swept last season’s series 3-0-0.
All-Time Regular Season: Hurricanes lead 36-29-0 (55.4% win rate)
Last 10 Meetings: Hurricanes 7-3-0
Recent Results:
Jan. 23, 2025: Hurricanes 7-4 (vs. CBJ; Aho 3P)
Nov. 29, 2024: Hurricanes 5-2 (at CBJ)
Oct. 26, 2024: Hurricanes 3-1 (vs. CBJ)
Mar. 28, 2024: Blue Jackets 4-3 OT (at CAR)
Jan. 5, 2024: Hurricanes 6-3 (vs. CBJ)
Series averages 6.1 goals, with overs in 6 of last 10. Carolina is 5-0 SU in last five home vs. Columbus.
Key Player Matchups
Injuries spotlight top lines, with Columbus’ youth testing Carolina’s vets in transition.
Kirill Marchenko (CBJ, 9G-12A-21P) vs. Sebastian Aho (CAR, 11G-15A-26P): Marchenko’s shot (14.8% SH%) exploits gaps; Aho’s two-way play (team-high 26P) shadows effectively (5P in last four vs. CBJ). Edge: Hurricanes—Aho’s faceoff edge (53.1%).
Sean Monahan (CBJ, 7G-14A-21P) vs. Seth Jarvis (CAR, 10G-11A-21P): Monahan’s vision (16P vs. CAR career) feeds rushes; Jarvis’ finishing (team-high 10G) counters on PK. Edge: Toss-up; Jarvis’ home streak (8P last six).
Zach Werenski (CBJ, 5G-10A-15P) vs. Brent Burns (CAR, 4G-9A-13P): Werenski’s bomb (2.1 SOG/GP) vs. Burns’ puck-moving (veteran IQ). Edge: Blue Jackets—Werenski’s PP dominance.
Goalie Duel: Daniil Tarasov (CBJ, .893 SV%) vs. Frederik Andersen (CAR, .907 SV%): Tarasov’s rebound issues on road; Andersen’s steadiness (2.71 GAA). Edge: Hurricanes.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Carolina 8-5 ATS as home favorites; Columbus 6-4 ATS on road.
Total: 6.5 (O -105; U -115). Overs in 7 of Carolina’s last 10 home (avg. 6.3 goals); series overs 60%.
Other Trends:
Blue Jackets: 5-5 ATS overall; Over in 6 of last 8 road.
Hurricanes: 12-6 SU as -200+ favorites; Under in 5 of last 7 vs. Metro.
Game Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets 6.5
Carolina Hurricanes – 205
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025
