Blue Jackets Bring Two Straight Overtime Wins Into Raleigh
Kent Johnson and Columbus try to stretch a road breakthrough against an East leader that rarely gives an inch
Written before the game
The Carolina Hurricanes lead the Eastern Conference at 10-2-2, and the bigger problem for Columbus is not the record but how the Hurricanes get there. Carolina creates far more good looks than it allows, night after night.
Over their last 10 games, the Hurricanes have averaged 4.04 expected goals (how many goals their chances were worth), while Columbus sits at 2.66. Carolina also gets many more shot attempts than it gives up, and the Blue Jackets give up more than they take. The Hurricanes are 8-1-1 in that stretch, though this one is in Raleigh, where they are a more modest 3-1-1. They are 7-1-1 on the road.
Columbus (5-5-0) has won two straight, both in overtime, and Kent Johnson ended the last one in Philadelphia. That was its first road win in three tries.
For Columbus to win, it has to keep this a low-chance game and win the close finish again. For Carolina to win, it just needs its usual edge in chances to turn into goals.
