Columbus Blue Jackets (26-22-8) vs Chicago Blackhawks (17-31-7)
February 22, 2025 at 07:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Columbus Blue Jackets -175 / Chicago Blackhawks +145 — Over/Under: 6.5
The Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Saturday in NHL action at the Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction. This article will include a Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Pick.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Predators, lost to the Blues, and they play the Maple Leafs, Utah, and Golden Knights next. The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 2.69 goals per game and are scoring 24.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Ryan Donato leads Chicago with 19 goals, Connor Bedard has 33 assists and Ryan Donato has 124 shots on goal. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 3.44 goals per game and are killing 82 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Petr Mrazek has given up 96 goals on 928 shots faced, and Arvid Soderblom has allowed 73 goals on 780 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Utah and Rangers, and play the Stars, Red Wings, and Lightning next. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.21 goals per game and are scoring 21.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus with 21 goals, Zach Werenski has 42 assists and Adam Fantilli has 123 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.3 goals per game and are killing 75.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 52 goals on 421 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 111 goals on 1,058 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last five road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blue Jackets have won five of their last six games against the Blackhawks.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last seven home games.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games at Nationwide Arena.
- The Blackhawks have lost the third period in six of their last seven games as underdogs when tied after the second period.
Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win
- The Blackhawks have won three of their last four games as underdogs after coming off a shootout.
- The Blue Jackets have lost five of their last six night games following a home loss.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in 14 of the Blackhawks’ last 16 games at Nationwide Arena.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in four of their last five home games against Central Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league for Period 2 goals allowed per game this season (1.29).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 4th in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (1.04).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 7th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.99%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 8th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.62%).
Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Injury Report
The Blue Jackets will be without Owen Dillinger and Kevin Labanc.
The Blackhawks will be without Jason Dickinson and Laurent Brossoit.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction
The Blackhawks have played a lot of overtime games recently and are earning points here and there, but they’ve still been on the wrong side of seven of their last nine games. The Blackhawks still have issues stringing together offense, and the defense has allowed three or more goals in eight of their last 10 games. The Blackhawks are also 6-17-4 on the road this season. The Blue Jackets have seen 17 of their 26 wins come at home and if they’re going to start truly chipping away in the standings these are the type of games they need to win. The Blue Jackets have won four straight games against the Blackhawks, and have scored no less than four goals in all of those wins. Give me the Blue Jackets.