Nationwide Arena is the site for an East-West matchup as the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. NBC Sports Chicago will showcase the game, and the action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24.
Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus is 30-31 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during last years regular season campaign. Out of the teams 61 regular season matches, 34 of them have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the teams 17-13 SU at home.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 14.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that puts them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 27th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 76.1 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Blue Jackets have been whistled for penalties just 3.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five outings home outings. The teams had to defend opposition power plays for just 5.7 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 27.9 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (25-25-5) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus this year. If the Jackets, however, choose to rest him, the team may go with Joonas Korpisalo (5-7-7 record, .903 save percentage, 3.15 goals against average).
The Jackets will continue to lean on the leadership from Artemi Panarin and Seth Jones. Panarin (49 points) has tallied 17 goals and 32 assists and has recorded two or more points in nine different games this year. Jones has eight goals and 28 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 29 games.
On the other side of the rink, Chicago is 27-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just three have pushed. As the visiting team, the Blackhawks are 12-18 SU.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully defended 82.4 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s skaters have been penalized 3.6 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their past five match ups. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (2.27 goals against average and .929 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Crawford is averaging 27.9 saves per game and owns a 16-12-2 record.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Blackhawks will be Patrick Kane, who has 23 goals and 34 assists on the year.
Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Columbus (6-4 in shootouts this season) has significantly more experience in games decided by shootout. Chicago has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- The total has gone under in three of Columbus last five outings.
- Two clubs that put the puck on goal a lot, Chicago has taken the leagues most shots on goal (34.8) while Columbus’s attempted the fourth-most (34.5).
- Over Chicago’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-5 in those games).
- The Blue Jackets this season have tallied the 12th-most hits per game (22.2), but that number has climbed to 25.2 over their last five home games.
