Carolina at Columbus on March 17 has a clear betting angle right from the start. Carolina is 42-18-6, Columbus is 34-21-11, and the market has Carolina favored on the road with a 6.5 total shaded slightly to the under. If you are betting this game, the question is straightforward: does Carolina’s shot advantage turn into a multi-goal win, or does Columbus keep it tight again and drag it into the final 10 minutes, where the under has plenty of room even if an empty-net goal sneaks in.
Carolina drives play and limits shots better than almost anyone in the NHL, and Columbus has been banking points the hard way in close games where a single bounce can decide the price.
Game Snapshot
- Game: Carolina Hurricanes @ Columbus Blue Jackets
- Date & Time: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio, US
- Broadcast: ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
| Market | Carolina | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -1.5 +180 | +1.5 -218 |
| Moneyline | -135 | +114 |
| Total | 6.5 Over -105 | Under -115 | |
Key Storylines Carolina vs Columbus
The Hurricanes star player Sebastian Aho stands on 699 pts before the game, all done in the same jersey.
Likely starter for Carolina: Brandon Bussi took the day-before starter crease at practice, and he enters with 25 wins plus a 2.37 GAA and a .899 save percentage. Carolina is also on the front end of a division back-to-back, which adds another reason to expect a planned goalie split.
Carolina health: Shayne Gostisbehere is ruled out, Pyotr Kochetkov remains on injured reserve after hip surgery, Andrei Svechnikov is day-to-day after missing Monday practice.
Columbus is chasing every point: the Blue Jackets entered the day 2 points out of a playoff spot and have extended a 9-game point streak that has included 6 overtime games. The crease decision between Jet Greaves Elvis Merzlikins is big: Greaves has a 2.64 GAA and a .908 save percentage on the season and is 9-0-2 in his last 12 appearances with a 2.40 GAA, while Merzlikins has a 3.40 GAA and a .885 save percentage and is 7-2-2 in his last 12 with a 2.54 GAA.
Columbus drivers: new head coach Rick Bowness has overseen a 15-2-4 stretch. Zach Werenski leads the way with 68 points, and Kirill Marchenko has 25 goals plus 9 goals in 11 career games versus Carolina. Charlie Coyle has produced heavily since the coaching change Conor Garland has 4 goals in his last 4 games, and Adam Fantilli has a 7-10-17 line in his last 16 games.
Carolina’s latest result was a 4-2 win on March 14 against the Lightning, that featured Jordan Martinook scoring the third-period winner and Frederik Andersen earning the win in net. Logan Stankoven added an empty-net goal, and head coach Rod Brind’Amour reached 600 games behind Carolina’s bench.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Past meetings: These teams have already played once in 2025-26, and Carolina won 4-1 on December 9 at Lenovo Center, Raleigh
- Carolina has also controlled this rivalry more broadly, going 7-1-2 in the last 10 meetings versus Columbus.
- ATS and O/U records: Carolina is 26-40 against the puck line this season, while Columbus is 34-32. Totals lean slightly to the over for Carolina at 36-28-2, while Columbus is 31-31-4.
- Home and road splits: Carolina is 18-9-4 away, but Columbus is 17-8-7 at home and has a 6-0-3 run in its last 9 home games.
From a handicapping standpoint, the season-long numbers explain why Carolina is favored. Carolina is scoring 3.47 goals per game and allowing 2.86, and they lead the league by allowing just 24.1 shots per game. Columbus scores 3.12 per game but allows 3.14 and gives up 29.5 shots per game, so the Blue Jackets generally need their goalie to hold up if they are going to survive long stretches in their own end.
Individual production points to the usual suspects. Sebastian Aho leads Carolina with 68 points, and Seth Jarvis sits at 28 goals. For Columbus, Werenski also has 68 points and Marchenko leads with 25 goals.
On Tuesday night, Boston visits Montreal for an Atlantic division clash.
Best Player Props to Watch
Shots on goal props fit this game because Carolina tends to generate volume and Columbus has shown a habit of pulling games into tight third periods where top-minute shooters keep firing. The prices listed below come from the ESPN odds page.
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Zach Werenski | Over 2.5 shots on goal -175 |
| Kirill Marchenko | Over 2.5 shots on goal +105 |
| Seth Jarvis | Over 2.5 shots on goal -135 |
| Sebastian Aho | Over 2.5 shots on goal -105 |
| Logan Stankoven | Over 1.5 shots on goal -148 |
| Adam Fantilli | Under 2.5 shots on goal -162 |
Carolina Hurricanes vs Columbus Blue Jackets Pick & Model Projection
ATS PRO
The total is the cleanest way into this game for most bettors. Columbus has been playing a lot of one-goal hockey, and even their wins have regularly needed a shootout or overtime. With Carolina limiting shots at an elite level and likely starting Bussi, the under is supported by both style and personnel.
There is still risk because empty-net goals and late power plays can break any under, and Columbus has been comfortable living in that high-pressure closing stretch. But 6.5 is a forgiving number for two teams that can both win a 3-2 game, especially if Svechnikov is less than 100% or sits.
- Score Projection: Carolina 3 – Columbus 2
- Pick: Under 6.5 -115
- Confidence: 3 out of 5
- Win Probability: Carolina 55%, Columbus 45%
Carolina should win the shot battle and spend more time in the offensive zone, but Columbus has proven it can turn games into coin flips late and grab points at home. That is why I would rather bet the game script than the side at this number. If the under cashes, it is usually because Carolina’s forecheck and shot suppression do their job and Columbus does not get free power-play goals to inflate the total.
For bettors who want a tiebreaker, watch the first 10 minutes. Columbus has scored the first goal in 41 of 66 games, and if they get ahead early, the live total can offer a better under entry than pregame. If Carolina scores first, it reinforces the 3-2 projection and keeps the under in a good position without needing a perfect third period.
