This is a 1* Free Play on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

For a number of different reasons I expect the home side to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. Columbus would almost need to run the table as well as get some outside help to make the postseason, but it's been playing a lot better of late and I think that momentum gets carried over here. Note that the Blue Jackets have won three in a row and four of their last five and includes a 4-3 shootout win in Carolina on Tuesday. A resurgent power play can be thanked for the recent turn-around as the Jackets have converted on five of their last 12 chances. Conversely, the Hurricanes have clearly run out of steam, losers of three straight they are most recently coming off a 2-0 loss to the Panthers on Saturday; note that goaltender Cam Ward has allowed three or more goals in four straight appearances (and note that backup Anton Khudobin owns a 3.54 GAA over his last two starts). Carolina's goaltenders though have been letdown by a penalty kill unit which has killed only six of 12 opposing power plays in the last four games. Note that the Hurricanes are just 6-11 (-3 units) in revenging a home loss vs. an opponent, while the Blue Jackets are interestingly 9-7 (+7.4 units) after scoring four goals or more in their previous game this season and 4-1 (+4.4 units) after a three-game unbeaten streak. In my opinion, the home side is definitely worthy of a second look in this one.

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