In their final head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets take the ice at Nationwide Arena. The opening face-off is at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 29, and you can catch this East-West matchup live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus comes into the contest as the heavy favorite with a moneyline of -150. The line for Chicago sits at +130, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-125 money on the under, +105 on the over).
The Blue Jackets are 17-21 straight-up (SU) and have hurt moneyline bettors to the tune of -2.1 units so far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. 22 of its 38 outings have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 11-9 SU at home this season.
Columbus has converted on 17.4 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all penalties.
Columbus, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 4.2 per game over its last ten outings. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for 8.6 minutes per game over its last five matchups, overall.
Averaging 25.6 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, Joonas Korpisalo (17 wins, 14 losses, and four OT losses) has been the top goalkeeper for the Blue Jackets this season. If they decide to rest him, however, the team may roll with the winless Elvis Merzlikins (0-9-9 record, .889 save percentage, 3.41 goals against average).
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Gustav Nyquist will both spearhead the attack for the Blue Jackets. Dubois (26 points) has put up 12 goals and 14 assists and has recorded two or more points in five different games this year. Nyquist has nine goals and 17 assists to his name and has notched a point in 20 games.
On the visitors’ side of the rink, Chicago is 16-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team this season, Chicago is 7-11 SU.
Chicago has converted on just 14.8 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully defended 81.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.5 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.0 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Robin Lehner (.925 save percentage and 2.82 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Lehner is averaging 32.1 saves per game and owns a 10-12-5 record.
Patrick Kane (20 goals, 27 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in three of Columbus’ last five games.
- Chicago has managed 28.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Columbus is averaging 34.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- The Blackhawks are 5-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 10-16 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
- Chicago (1-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Columbus emerged victorious in its one shootout this season.
- Columbus has created 8.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 6.6 takeaways per game (ranked 28th).
- Chicago has created 8.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, its season average of 8.7 takeaways per game (ranked fifth in the league).
