Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EDT
Venue: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network South / Ohio (FDSNSO / FDSNOH), ESPN+; Radio: 97.1 The Fan (CBJ), relevant Hurricanes affiliates
This Metropolitan Division showdown pits a desperate Blue Jackets squad (4th in the Metro, clinging to wild-card positioning) against a dominant Hurricanes team (1st in the Metro, already at 100 points and locked into a top Eastern seed). Carolina hosts at the Lenovo Center (strong 24-10-3 home mark) and is coming off a 5-2 home win over Columbus just two nights ago on March 31. Columbus enters on a four-game losing skid and must find a way to snap it on the road against the league’s top defensive club.
Injury Report
Columbus Blue Jackets (forward and blueline depth thinned):
- Damon Severson (D) – Out (upper body; expected return ~April 7)
- Mathieu Olivier (RW) – Out (upper body; week-to-week)
- Dmitri Voronkov (LW) – Out (hand)
- Isac Lundestrom (C) – Day-to-Day (undisclosed)
- Mason Marchment (LW) – Day-to-Day
Carolina Hurricanes (goaltending depth impacted):
- Pyotr Kochetkov (G) – Out / IR (hip; expected return ~April 11)
Carolina’s core remains intact, with Frederik Andersen or a backup expected in net. Columbus is missing key depth pieces on the back end and bottom-six, forcing heavier minutes for stars like Zach Werenski and the top lines.
Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)
Columbus Blue Jackets (1-4-0):
- 3/31 vs CAR: L 5-2
- 3/29 vs BOS: L 4-3 (SO)
- 3/28 vs SJS: L (specific score not detailed; part of slide)
- Earlier results contributing to current four-game skid
Columbus has been outscored and struggling defensively/special teams during the slide.
Carolina Hurricanes (4-1-0):
- 3/31 @ CBJ: W 5-2
- 3/29 vs MTL: L 3-1
- 3/28 vs NJD: W 5-2
- Recent strong stretch with elite defensive play and timely scoring.
Carolina reached the 100-point mark Tuesday and continues to roll at home. metrics.
Key Player Matchups
- Kirill Marchenko / Adam Fantilli (CBJ) vs. Carolina’s shutdown pairs: Columbus needs secondary scoring to keep pace; Carolina’s structure limits space.
- Sebastian Aho / Nikolaj Ehlers (CAR) vs. Blue Jackets checking lines: Ehlers (3 points in last meeting) and Aho’s speed should exploit any defensive lapses.
- Zach Werenski (CBJ) vs. Carolina forecheck: Werenski’s minutes are critical but taxing against Carolina’s pressure.
- Goaltending: Jet Greaves or Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ) vs. Frederik Andersen (CAR). Andersen has been stellar; Columbus goaltending has been inconsistent during the skid.
Carolina’s speed, forecheck, and special teams project a significant edge.
Series History
Carolina leads the 2025-26 season series 2-1 (including a 5-2 win on March 31 and earlier 5-1 victory). Columbus took one earlier contest (5-1 on March 17). Recent head-to-head favors the Hurricanes, especially at home, with Carolina winning the last two meetings convincingly.
Betting Trends
Hurricanes have covered in recent divisional matchups; totals trend tighter in Carolina home games.
Carolina is strong at home and 4-1 in recent form; Columbus is 1-4 SU and poor ATS lately.
