Archive note: Technical commentary has been removed. This remains historical pregame coverage; original selections have been retained where stated.

Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.

The Carolina Hurricanes travel to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on March 31, 2026, in a matchup that pits two teams heading in different directions.

Team Form & Recent Performance

The Hurricanes enter this contest with undeniable momentum. Over their last five games, Carolina has recorded three wins while maintaining a 6-4-0 overall record. The team is playing cohesive, confident hockey and shows no signs of slowing down. With one day of rest and a normal schedule, Bussi and the Hurricanes should be fresh and ready to execute.

Columbus, meanwhile, is struggling to find their footing. The Blue Jackets sit at 5-3-2 overall, but their recent form tells a more concerning story—just one win over their last five games. This inconsistency has created gaps in their lineup's confidence, and they'll face an uphill battle against a hot Carolina team. Like Carolina, Columbus also has one day of rest heading into this matchup, so fatigue won't be a factor for either side.

The analytics heavily favor the Hurricanes in this Hurricanes Blue Jackets pick. Carolina dominates nearly every underlying metric:

The Hurricanes are creating significantly better offensive opportunities while defending more effectively.

Goalie Matchup

B. Bussi is expected to start for Carolina, bringing an impressive 27-6-1 record into this matchup. The Hurricanes' netminder has been a pillar of consistency and will face a Blue Jackets team that struggles to generate quality chances. J. Greaves gets the nod for Columbus with a 24-14-9 record—solid but not elite. However, given the analytics advantage favoring Carolina's offense, Bussi's elite record and the Hurricanes' defensive structure should create a favorable environment for a strong performance.

Injury Impact

Both teams report no key injuries heading into this matchup, meaning neither squad will be operating at diminished capacity. This neutralizes any advantage either team might claim on the injury front.

Prediction

Our NHL picks favor Carolina in this contest.

Columbus would need an exceptional performance to overcome Carolina's possession dominance and superior chance creation.

Run your own prediction to see how different variables might impact this matchup.

Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.