NHL Game of the Week: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Eastern Conference playoff picture looks like it’s going to be one for the ages all the way until the end of the season. With only five standings points separating the top wild card spot and the fifth team in the hunt, there is no margin for error.

The Hurricanes sit nicely in second in the Metropolitan Division not worrying too much about the wild card. On the other hand, the Blue Jackets are right in the heart of the battle for the wild card.

The Canes looked like a force to be reckoned with at the start of the season, getting off to a blazing start. Martin Necas found a new gear leading his team in points in a career revival.

They seemed to have let the foot off the gas a little in recent weeks playing a suffocating brand of hockey, but have bounced back and look to extend their three-game winning streak.

The Canes are one of the most balanced teams in the league from top to bottom. They can run four lines and not lose any production.

Their defense is amongst the most versatile in the league with all their defenseman posing an offensive threat led by Shayne Gostisbehere with 28 points in 40 games, while also locking down the back end led by Jaccob Slavin.

With the return of Frederik Andersen and the emergence of Pyotr Kochetkov in Andersen’s absence, Carolina may possess the best goaltender tandem in the league.

The Hurricanes look to continue on a cruise control ride right into the playoffs and make a little more noise than they have in previous years. They have been cup favorites year in, and year out and have only made the conference finals twice since 2019.

On the opposing side, the Blue Jackets are looking to speed up the rebuild a little by getting to the playoffs this year, only one year removed from earning the second overall pick in the draft.

Zach Werenski leads the way for the Blue Jackets with 51 points followed closely by a surprising Kirill Marchenko with 50 points.

The Blue Jackets rely on a little more team depth with seven players scoring at least 20 points on the season. There is no player that will scare you by themselves, but the team is clicking all together, which may be scarier.

The Jackets are strong in between the pipes with Elvis Merzlikins posting a solid .890 save percentage. He won’t win you a game by himself, but he definitely gives Columbus chances to win.

These division rivals go at it for the fourth time and final time this season. Columbus leads the series 2-1, but both wins came in the shootout.

If the Blue Jackets want to win this game, they have to keep it close. The Hurricanes thrive on getting ahead early and just wearing down the opposing team.

If the Canes do that, the Blue Jackets stand no chance. The Blue Jackets don’t have the talent to mount a large comeback.

Nonetheless, this game has shaped up to be a hard-fought battle for the win. This game is set to take place on Jan. 23, at 7 p.m.

Tristan Kunec is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email tqk5432@psu.edu.