St. Louis Blues vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 3/12/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: St. Louis Blues vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

The Carolina Hurricanes (41-17-6) will play the St. Louis Blues (25-29-10) at PNC Arena on Thursday.

The St. Louis Blues will look for better times on the ice after their 4-3 defeat to the Islanders their last time out. The Blues played like an average offensive team in the defeat. In the game, they finished 3 out of the 23 shots they launched. Furthermore, they had 2 chances on the power play but weren't able to score a goal. St. Louis accrued 8 minutes in the box in this matchup.

St. Louis Blues opponents have 178 power play tries (23rd in professional hockey) and have racked up 46 goals in those chances. The Blues have had 1,789 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .881. St. Louis has tried 1,608 shots and has a shot percentage of 10.5%. When at even strength, the Blues let the opposition score 167 goals while notching 139 on offense. St. Louis has compiled 170 power play chances and they have scored 29 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 17.06%. For the season, they have scored 60 points and their points percentage is .469. When talking about their scoring, the St. Louis Blues have tallied 168 goals (28th in the National Hockey League) for the year and have conceded 213.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Joel Hofer. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Hofer has compiled 54 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .568. His save percentage sits at .906 during his 3,738 minutes played. Hofer has had 2,752 shots taken against him and has recorded 2,494 saves. The opposition has been able to score 258 goals against Hofer in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.72. He has amassed a win-loss record of 51-33-9 and he started in 95 games. Hofer has played in 104 contests throughout his pro hockey career.

Their last time out, Carolina opposed the Penguins in a game where the Hurricanes got the tie by a mark of 4-4. The Hurricanes recorded 4 goals out of the 43 shots on goal they attempted. They had 5 chances on the power play in this outing and earned 1 out of those opportunities.

The Hurricanes have earned 180 goals at even strength and 44 goals (11th in the league) while on the power play. Carolina has taken 2,061 shots (2nd in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.87%, while allowing their opponents 1,551 shots. This season, the Carolina Hurricanes have accounted for 224 goals, 88 points, in addition to a points percentage of .688. They have permitted 184 goals to be scored by way of 147 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have recorded 196 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 22.45%. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 79.44% on the other teams 180 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.1%.

Across the rink you are likely to see Brandon Bussi in goal. His opponents are averaging 2.40 goals per contest and he has surrendered 72 goals altogether. Bussi's rate of quality starts is 56.7% and he has made 17 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. He got the starting nod in 30 games and has racked up 76 mins. Bussi is the owner of a career record of 25-4-1 and has been in net for 30 games. He is sitting with 633 saves out of 705 shots taken against him, which gives him a save % of .898.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Carolina

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