The Chicago Blackhawks (8-22-4) wrap up a 3-game road trip when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-22-2) at Nationwide Arena Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Blackhawks vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blackhawks have lost the first 2 games of their road trip, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday and falling 3-1 to the St. Louis Blues Thursday. Chicago has won just once in the past 11 games overall — but that was a 5-2 victory over Columbus at United Center on Dec. 23.
The Blue Jackets are in freefall, too, dropping 7 in a row since their last win over the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 11. Columbus has won 2 of the past 3 games on home ice, however.
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Blackhawks at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:21 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blackhawks +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Blue Jackets -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (-220) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Blackhawks at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Alex Stalock (4-3-1, 2.69 GAA, .918 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (4-8-0, 4.68 GAA, .864 SV%)
Stalock is confirmed to start and has been a steadying force in the crease since returning from a 6-week absence due to a concussion. The American netminder has allowed a total of 4 goals on 57 shots in his 2 December starts, going 1-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .930 SV%.
Merzlikins has really struggled in December, going 2-3-0 with a 4.57 GAA and .862 SV% in 3 starts and 2 relief appearances. He last faced the Blackhawks on Feb. 17, 2022, turning aside 28 of the 32 shots he faced in a victory.
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Blackhawks at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Blackhawks 5, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
The BLACKHAWKS (+120) are a solid play as underdogs. While Chicago has struggled, its only win lately has been a convincing victory on home ice against the Blue Jackets.
Merzlikins, and really all Columbus goaltenders, has been very giving lately. During the current 7-game slide, Columbus has been dented for 26 total goals. Chicago will add to the woes of the home side.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Blackhawks +1.5 (-220) will cost you more than 2 times your potential return if you require insurance, and that’s just too expensive.
If you like Chicago, just play it straight up for a much better value.
PASS.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-105) is the way to go in this battle of bad teams.
The Over is 4-1 in the past 5 games against losing teams for the Blackhawks while going 3-1-1 in the past 5 trips to Columbus and 4-0-1 in the past 5 meetings overall in this series.
The Blue Jackets have cashed the Over at a 46-21-4 clip in their past 71 home games while hitting at a 7-1 pace in the past 8 against teams with a winning percentage under .400.
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