Game #4 Preview: Hurricanes @ Blue Jackets
Hurricanes (3-0-0) @ Blue Jackets (3-1-0)
Carolina and Columbus square off in an important matchup inside the Metropolitan division. Columbus is off to a surprisingly good start to their season. Led by the scoring of Oliver Bjorkstrand (2 goals, 5 assists) and Patrik Laine (2 goals, 3 assists). And their new head coach Brad Larsen. They look to continue their good start to build towards a potential playoff berth.
Previous Meeting
The last time these two teams met was inside the Central Division last season on May 1st. Carolina won that game in overtime 2-1 to defeat the Jackets in Raleigh. The game-winning goal was scored by Dougie Hamilton.
Columbus’s unsustainable level of play?
The Blue Jackets have the 4th worst expected Goals percentage in the NHL (43.28%) at the moment. Yet they have a Goals percentage of 53.85 (10 percentage points above their expected percentage). It is safe to say that they will need to play better if they want to continue this hot start.
Projected Lines
Kotkaniemi-Aho-Teravainen
Svechnikov-Trocheck-Necas
Neiderreiter-Staal-Fast
Lorentz-Stepan-Martinook
Slavin-Bear
Skjei-Pesce
Cole-DeAngelo
Andersen
Scratches: B. Smith, Jarvis
What the Analytics Predict
MoneyPuck.Com gives Carolina a 57.7% chance of winning
Carolina has +1.75 goals above expected/60 differential. Something very unsustainable, they will need to pick up their play if they want to contend for the Metropolitan Division this season. Even if they are favored to beat Columbus in this game
Players to Watch
Frederik Andersen is having a renaissance start to his season, posting 1.167 goals saved above expected/60. 14th best in the NHL among all goaltenders. He has won all 3 starts and has put up a 2.00 GAA, and a .938 save percentage. He has been rock solid for Carolina so far, and Carolina will look for another good performance tonight.
Patrik Laine has been up and down throughout his career. But when Patrik is going, he is a force of nature with the puck. Carolina will need to stay out of the box (something they have not done well so far) to limit Laine’s impact on the game.
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