{"id":486801,"date":"2026-04-02T11:56:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T15:56:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=486801"},"modified":"2026-04-03T09:04:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T13:04:22","slug":"nhl-predictions-columbus-blue-jackets-vs-carolina-hurricanes-april-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/04\/02\/nhl-predictions-columbus-blue-jackets-vs-carolina-hurricanes-april-2\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Carolina Hurricanes, April 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0<\/span><em>Last Word On Hockey<\/em><span> look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. Our featured game of this edition is the Columbus Blue Jackets taking on the Carolina Hurricanes <\/span><span>check out more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/nhl-predictions\/\" target=\"_self\">NHL Predictions<\/a>, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>NHL Predictions<\/h2>\n<h2>Columbus Blue Jackets vs Carolina Hurricanes<\/h2>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1-2 Hurricanes<\/h3>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/full-guide-for-how-to-stream-and-watch-nhl-hockey-games\/\" target=\"_self\">How to Watch<\/a>:<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>US TV: Fan Duel Sports South; Fan Duel Sports Ohio; ESPN+. Canada TV: Sportsnet+.<\/strong><amp-fx-flying-carpet height=\"600px\"><amp-ad data-block-on-consent=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"600\" layout=\"fixed\" type=\"doubleclick\" data-slot=\"\/15188745,22512265771\/FS-lastwordonsports-AMP\/AMP-FlyingCarpet\" data-lazy-fetch=\"true\" data-loading-strategy=\"1.25\" rtc-config=\"{ &quot;vendors&quot;: { &quot;t13&quot;: { &quot;TAG_ID&quot;: &quot;f502adbd-5c9b-4d6f-9ec5-b0cdc0f4827c&quot;, &quot;ACCOUNT_ID&quot;: &quot;9a3c6c23-453a-4cba-b419-30b908f39a50&quot; }, &quot;aps&quot;: { &quot;PUB_ID&quot;: &quot;600&quot;, &quot;PUB_UUID&quot;: &quot;16268e26-dabe-4bf4-a28f-b8f4ee192ed3&quot;, &quot;PARAMS&quot;: { &quot;amp&quot;: &quot;1&quot; } }, &quot;criteo&quot;: { &quot;NETWORK_ID&quot;: &quot;4905&quot;, &quot;ZONE_ID&quot;: &quot;1382491&quot;, &quot;PUBLISHER_SUB_ID&quot;: &quot;FS-lastwordonsports-AMP-FlyingCarpet&quot; }, &quot;medianet&quot;: { &quot;CID&quot;: &quot;8CU8ZT2C4&quot; } } }\"><\/amp-ad><\/amp-fx-flying-carpet><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong><span>\u00a07 p<\/span>.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p>We open up NHL predictions with our featured game between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/12\/blue-jackets-make-multiple-changes-to-coaching-staff\/\" target=\"_self\">Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/29\/nhl-predictions-montreal-canadiens-vs-carolina-hurricanes-march-29\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/greavje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jet Greaves<\/a> is expected to draw the start for the Blue Jackets in this critical game. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Columbus is 5-4-1 in its previous 10 games, including a four-game losing streak. Despite this, the Jackets hold the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/coylech01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Charlie Coyle<\/a> leads the club in assists with 38 so far.<\/p>\n<p><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/anderfr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Frederik Andersen<\/a> is the projected starter for the Hurricanes, who are 6-4 in their last 10, including a win over the Blue Jackets last time out. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/news\/stanley-cup-playoff-clinching-scenarios-for-april-2-2026\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carolina can clinch<\/a> a Stanley Cup Playoff spot if they win or at least a point and a few other things fall its way. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/ehlerni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikolaj Ehlers<\/a> has four goals and four assists for eight points in his last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p>Both teams have different reasons to get points. However, Carolina will book its place in the postseason.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-3.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"sf-preview-content-holder\"><smartframe-embed customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBwL8Dakek\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 1800px; aspect-ratio: 1.75953 \/ 1; --canvas-wedge-error-size: 1800; --sf-original-width: 1800; --sf-original-height: 1023; --sf-is-portrait: 0; --sf-is-landscape: 1;\" preview-mode=\"\" tabindex=\"0\"><\/smartframe-embed><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>(Credit Image: \u00a9 Matias J. Ocner\/Miami Herald via ZUMA Press Wire)<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Boston Bruins vs Florida Panthers<\/h2>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Bruins 0-2 Panthers<\/h3>\n<h3>How to Watch:<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>US TV: NESN; Scripps Florida; ESPN+. Canada TV: Sportsnet; SN1.<\/strong><amp-fx-flying-carpet height=\"600px\"><amp-ad data-block-on-consent=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"600\" layout=\"fixed\" type=\"doubleclick\" data-slot=\"\/15188745,22512265771\/FS-lastwordonsports-AMP\/AMP-FlyingCarpet\" data-lazy-fetch=\"true\" data-loading-strategy=\"1.25\" rtc-config=\"{ &quot;vendors&quot;: { &quot;t13&quot;: { &quot;TAG_ID&quot;: &quot;f502adbd-5c9b-4d6f-9ec5-b0cdc0f4827c&quot;, &quot;ACCOUNT_ID&quot;: &quot;9a3c6c23-453a-4cba-b419-30b908f39a50&quot; }, &quot;aps&quot;: { &quot;PUB_ID&quot;: &quot;600&quot;, &quot;PUB_UUID&quot;: &quot;16268e26-dabe-4bf4-a28f-b8f4ee192ed3&quot;, &quot;PARAMS&quot;: { &quot;amp&quot;: &quot;1&quot; } }, &quot;criteo&quot;: { &quot;NETWORK_ID&quot;: &quot;4905&quot;, &quot;ZONE_ID&quot;: &quot;1382491&quot;, &quot;PUBLISHER_SUB_ID&quot;: &quot;FS-lastwordonsports-AMP-FlyingCarpet&quot; }, &quot;medianet&quot;: { &quot;CID&quot;: &quot;8CU8ZT2C4&quot; } } }\"><\/amp-ad><\/amp-fx-flying-carpet><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong><span>\u00a07 p<\/span>.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p>Our second game of NHL predictions is an Atlantic Division matchup between the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/28\/nhl-predictions-minnesota-wild-vs-boston-bruins-march-28\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/31\/nhl-predictions-ottawa-senators-florida-panthers-march-31st\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida Panthers.<\/a> <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/swaymje01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Swayman<\/a> is the likely starter for Boston, which is 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. This includes a four-game winning streak entering this game. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/arvidvi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Viktor Arvidsson<\/a> has five goals in Boston&#8217;s last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bobrose01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a> is the confirmed starter for the Panthers, who are teetering on the brink of elimination. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, who are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Injuries have taken toll on Florida but <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesse01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Seth Jones<\/a> has five assists in his last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p>The Panthers have actually done well against the Bruins this season. However, Boston gets the win to bolster its chances.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Bruins win 3-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"sf-preview-content-holder\"><smartframe-embed customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBS4aqBNgj\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3620px; aspect-ratio: 1.24656 \/ 1; --canvas-wedge-error-size: 3620; --sf-original-width: 3620; --sf-original-height: 2904; --sf-is-portrait: 0; --sf-is-landscape: 1;\" preview-mode=\"\" tabindex=\"0\"><\/smartframe-embed><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span>(Credit Image: \u00a9 Steve Roberts\/Cal Sport Media\/Cal Sport Media)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Winnipeg Jets vs Dallas Stars<\/h2>\n<h3>Head-to-Head: Jets 0-3 Stars<\/h3>\n<h3>How to Watch:<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>US TV: Victory+; ESPN+. Canada TV: TSN3.<\/strong><amp-fx-flying-carpet height=\"600px\"><amp-ad data-block-on-consent=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"600\" layout=\"fixed\" type=\"doubleclick\" data-slot=\"\/15188745,22512265771\/FS-lastwordonsports-AMP\/AMP-FlyingCarpet\" data-lazy-fetch=\"true\" data-loading-strategy=\"1.25\" rtc-config=\"{ &quot;vendors&quot;: { &quot;t13&quot;: { &quot;TAG_ID&quot;: &quot;f502adbd-5c9b-4d6f-9ec5-b0cdc0f4827c&quot;, &quot;ACCOUNT_ID&quot;: &quot;9a3c6c23-453a-4cba-b419-30b908f39a50&quot; }, &quot;aps&quot;: { &quot;PUB_ID&quot;: &quot;600&quot;, &quot;PUB_UUID&quot;: &quot;16268e26-dabe-4bf4-a28f-b8f4ee192ed3&quot;, &quot;PARAMS&quot;: { &quot;amp&quot;: &quot;1&quot; } }, &quot;criteo&quot;: { &quot;NETWORK_ID&quot;: &quot;4905&quot;, &quot;ZONE_ID&quot;: &quot;1382491&quot;, &quot;PUBLISHER_SUB_ID&quot;: &quot;FS-lastwordonsports-AMP-FlyingCarpet&quot; }, &quot;medianet&quot;: { &quot;CID&quot;: &quot;8CU8ZT2C4&quot; } } }\"><\/amp-ad><\/amp-fx-flying-carpet><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Time:<\/strong><span> 8 p<\/span>.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)<\/p>\n<p>Our final game of NHL predictions has the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/31\/nhl-predictions-chicago-blackhawks-winnipeg-jets-march-31\/\" target=\"_self\">Winnipeg Jets<\/a> trying to avoid the season-sweep against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/03\/28\/nhl-predictions-dallas-stars-vs-pittsburgh-penguins-march-28th\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a>. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/helleco01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Connor Hellebuyck<\/a> is the expected starter for the Jets, who are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/scheima01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Scheifele<\/a> has nine points Winnipeg&#8217;s last 10 games.<\/p>\n<p><a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/oettija01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Oettinger<\/a> is the projected starter for the Stars, who are losers of seven of their last nine games entering this matchup. Dallas has clinched a postseason berth but will want to start playing better before the games really start to matter. <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/roberja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Robertson<\/a> has 49 assists and 89 points to lead in those categories for the Stars.<\/p>\n<p>Winnipeg has sprung to life late in the season. However, Dallas should rebound with a win.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Stars win 4-2.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Best Bets<\/h3>\n<p>We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let&#8217;s go back to our featured game for our preferred props. The over\/under for the Blue Jackets and Hurricanes is 6.5, and we like the over in this game.<\/p>\n<p>As far as individual props, take <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/marchki01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirill Marchenko<\/a> to score for Columbus. On the Carolina side of things, go with <a  target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=ahose01,ahose02&amp;search=Sebastian+Aho&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-04-02_hr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sebastian Aho<\/a> to have the over on 1.5 points.<\/p>\n<p><em>Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at\u00a0Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. Our featured game of this edition is the Columbus Blue Jackets taking on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":459669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4524,10,11,4547,4548],"tags":[6081,6010,6083,6124,6255,6110],"class_list":["post-486801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhl-predictions","category-hurricanes","category-bluejackets","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-boston-bruins-predictions","tag-carolina-hurricanes-predictions","tag-columbus-blue-jackets-predictions","tag-dallas-stars-predictions","tag-florida-panthers-predictions","tag-winnipeg-jets-predictions"],"modified_by":"Dan Mount, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/486801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=486801"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/486801\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":486875,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/486801\/revisions\/486875"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/459669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=486801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=486801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=486801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}