Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets (120, 5.5)The league-worst Blue Jackets host surging Carolina on Friday, as the Hurricanes make a late charge at an unlikely playoff spot. Thanks to a four-game win streak, Carolina is within six points of eighth place in the Eastern Conference with eight games to play.
Carolina will be trying to beat Columbus for the first time in the last five tries.
Captain Eric Staal continued his torrid stretch, scoring twice in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. It was the second consecutive two-goal game for Staal and gave him six points over the last three games. In his last 20 games, Staal has 11 goals and 17 assists. Staal needs four points to reach 70 for the seventh consecutive season. Carolina also got a boost with the return of defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who had a goal and an assist after sitting out 44 games with a concussion and knee problems.
Columbus continues to wobble toward the finish line, absorbing a 5-1 home loss at the hands of Chicago on Wednesday. Columbus has failed on 35 consecutive power-play chances, moving within seven of tying the franchise record.
Pick: Hurricanes ---
Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals (-150, 5.5)
The Jets lead the season series 3-1-1 and are looking to win their third straight over the Capitals.
Washington holds a five-point lead over Winnipeg for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, but the Jets have a game in hand. The Capitals are playing the second game of a back-to-back after falling 2-1 to Philadelphia on Thursday.
Worrisome for Winnipeg is the team’s troubles on the road. The Jets are 11-20-4 away from home and have dropped their past three road contests. Defenseman Eric Fehr is dealing with an upper-body injury and center Nik Antropov is suffering from a lower-body injury. Both are considered questionable for Friday’s contest.
On the positive side, goaltender Ondrej Pavelec is 3-1-1 with a 1.97 GAA and .935 save percentage against the Capitals this season.
Washington forward Alex Ovechkin has goals in three straight games, and six goals in his last five contests. Goaltender Tomas Vokoun (lower body) and forward Alexander Semin (undisclosed) are both questionable for the game.
The Capitals are 2-6 in their last eight games in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. And the Jets have won six of the last eight meetings.
Pick: Jets +++
Carolina will be trying to beat Columbus for the first time in the last five tries.
Captain Eric Staal continued his torrid stretch, scoring twice in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. It was the second consecutive two-goal game for Staal and gave him six points over the last three games. In his last 20 games, Staal has 11 goals and 17 assists. Staal needs four points to reach 70 for the seventh consecutive season. Carolina also got a boost with the return of defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who had a goal and an assist after sitting out 44 games with a concussion and knee problems.
Columbus continues to wobble toward the finish line, absorbing a 5-1 home loss at the hands of Chicago on Wednesday. Columbus has failed on 35 consecutive power-play chances, moving within seven of tying the franchise record.
Pick: Hurricanes ---
Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals (-150, 5.5)
The Jets lead the season series 3-1-1 and are looking to win their third straight over the Capitals.
Washington holds a five-point lead over Winnipeg for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, but the Jets have a game in hand. The Capitals are playing the second game of a back-to-back after falling 2-1 to Philadelphia on Thursday.
Worrisome for Winnipeg is the team’s troubles on the road. The Jets are 11-20-4 away from home and have dropped their past three road contests. Defenseman Eric Fehr is dealing with an upper-body injury and center Nik Antropov is suffering from a lower-body injury. Both are considered questionable for Friday’s contest.
On the positive side, goaltender Ondrej Pavelec is 3-1-1 with a 1.97 GAA and .935 save percentage against the Capitals this season.
Washington forward Alex Ovechkin has goals in three straight games, and six goals in his last five contests. Goaltender Tomas Vokoun (lower body) and forward Alexander Semin (undisclosed) are both questionable for the game.
The Capitals are 2-6 in their last eight games in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. And the Jets have won six of the last eight meetings.
Pick: Jets +++
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