Tuesday night’s NHL action features a battle in Ohio between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blackhawks (9-6-4) had their three-game win streak snapped over the weekend and will look to start another one, while the Blue Jackets (8-7-4) have dropped three of their last four contests, the most-recent loss on Saturday.
This will be the fifth time these teams have played each other this season, with the first four games all played in Chicago. Both teams have won a pair of those meetings, and three of the four games were decided by a single goal.
Here is a look at some of the stats and key players to watch Tuesday when the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets face off. Currently, Columbus is a favorite at home, listed at -130, while Chicago is a +110 underdog.
By the Numbers
When it comes to goals scored, these teams are neck and neck. Chicago’s 2.89 goals per game barely edges Columbus’ 2.84. However, Chicago also averages about 1.5 more shots per contest. However, there is a noticeable gap on the power play, where the Hawks have a top-five unit at 32.2 percent, while the Jackets at 15.2 percent rank 23rd in the NHL.
There may not be too many power play chances for either side, though, as each of these teams is in the top three for the fewest penalty minutes per game. But they can be scored on, as Chicago is allowing 2.84 goals on a league-high 34 shots per game. Columbus has been worse, though, letting up 3.32 goals per game on 32.3 shots, with a penalty kill that also sits just outside the bottom-five of the league.
Blackhawks Betting Preview
It’s fair to say the Blackhawks have been one of the more surprising NHL teams, given their offseason and the start of the season. Since beginning the year 0-3-1, Chicago is 9-3-3 with just one multi-goal loss since January 17th. They have also put together two separate three-game winning streaks, including one very recently that started with an overtime victory against Columbus.
Chicago’s heartbeat is Patrick Kane, as the veteran continues to dazzle. Kane is up to eight goals and 18 assists, his 26 points ranking sixth in the NHL. Following him is the young winger Alex DeBrincat, who leads the team with nine goals despite missing four games earlier in the season. Last year’s Calder Trophy finalist Dominik Kubalik is also thriving with nine assists to go with five goals, while rookie Pius Suter and veteran Mattias Janmark are each up to six goals.
The Blackhawks’ surprise season, however, starts with Kevin Lankinen. The rookie netminder emerged early on and has assumed the reigns as the starting goaltender, going 7-3-3 with a 2.43 GAA and .927 save percentage. Lankinen also has four games against Columbus under his belt, with a pair of victories but also a six-goal meltdown, his worst game of the season.
Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Blue Jackets, much like Chicago, had a rough start to the season. Columbus went 1-2-2 and traded number one center Pierre-Luc Dubois after five games. Since then, they have managed to improve a little bit, going 7-5-2 heading into Tuesday. However, just two of their wins all season have been decided by more than a goal, while more than half of their 11 total losses have been by two or more goals.
Columbus’ top scorers are a couple of familiar faces. Cam Atkinson is a franchise Jacket, and at 31, he leads the team with seven goals to go along with seven assists. The other man at the top is Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has four goals but ties Atkinson in points thanks to his team-high 10 assists.
Nick Foligno and Boone Jenner are another two longtime vets who have contributed, each adding 10 points, as has former Jet Jack Roslovic, who was acquired in the Dubois deal. The X-factor for Columbus is the main piece of that deal, sharp-shooter Patrik Laine, who in nine games with the Jackets has four goals and three assists.
Columbus has used both Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins in the net this year, but expect Korpisalo to draw the start. The 26-year old is 5-4-3 with a 3.46 GAA and .888 save percentage, plus was in net for both of the Blue Jackets’ wins against Chicago.
Betting Pick
The four games these teams have played against one another have been evenly-matched, so there’s no reason to expect anything crazy Tuesday night. But with the statistically-better goaltender in net plus an offense that has gotten more from its high-end talent, the edge goes to the Blackhawks. Look for Chicago to win the shot battle and take advantage of any Columbus mistakes thanks to their dynamic power play, winning this one on the road.
FREE PICK: Chicago Blackhawks (+110).
