Columbus Blue Jackets at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The NHL season is heating up, but there are also those teams that have already fallen well out of the playoff race. Two of those teams will meet up on Thursday night when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Columbus comes into this game with 47 points on the year, and that has them in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets can still make a run at the postseason, but they are going to have to heat up in a hurry.
The Blackhawks have just 43 points on the year, and that is good enough for 7th place in the Central Division. Chicago is a team that has some talented pieces on the roster, and those players will likely be changing teams at some point.
The Chicago Blackhawks are the moneyline betting favorites at -150 over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Columbus Wants to Play Fast
A quick look at the overall team statistics for Columbus tells you that this team is not afraid to play an uptempo style of hockey. The Blue Jackets are scoring over 3.1 goals per game this season, but they are also allowing over 3.6 goals per night.
Elvis Merzlikins has been the best goaltender this season for the Blue Jackets, but he is still allowing 3.4 goals per game. The Blue Jackets have actually been pretty solid on the penalty kill, but they just haven’t played well in five-on-five hockey.
Center Boone Jenner leads the Blue Jackets with 19 goals and 34 points, and he will play a key role in this matchup on Thursday night.
Kane Heating Up For Chicago
Patrick Kane is still one of the best offensive players in the NHL, and he has been playing extremely well for the Blackhawks of late. Kane now leads the team with 34 assists and 46 points, and Alex DeBrincat has scored a team-high 28 goals.
Chicago is still scoring less than three goals per game, and that just won’t work with the defensive effort. The Blackhawks have had some poor defensive efforts at times, and Marc-Andre Fleury hasn’t been able to shut the door.
Fleury has posted a record of just 16-17-3 on the year, and he will likely be on the move to another team soon. The Blackhawks are typically a much better team at home, and they will look to find some offense in this matchup.
Blackhawks Take Care of Columbus
It has been a trying year for both of these franchises, and each team might lose a couple of key pieces at the trade deadline. Chicago does return home after a pretty solid road trip, and they will have the momentum in this game.
This is a game that should feature plenty of scoring as both teams have been poor on the defensive end of the ice. Chicago has been the much better team on the power play, though, and that should have an impact on the outcome of this game.
Take the Chicago Blackhawks -150 over the Columbus Blue Jackets in this NHL action on Thursday night.
