Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Blackhawks vs Blue Jackets NHL Odds
Looking for Chicago Blackhawks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Blackhawks taking on the Blue Jackets on Tuesday February 23rd at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Blackhawks Blue Jackets matchup.
NHL Handicapping Analysis
(9-6-4) Chicago Blackhawks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (8-7-4)
Date: Tuesday, February 23rd
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus OH
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Blackhawks +105| Blue Jackets -125
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Blue Jackets -1.5 (+190)
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
Chicago should be rested, having had the last three nights off after the second leg of their back-to-back with Carolina was postponed over the weekend. That gives the Hawks some value as +105 underdogs.
-125 isn’t a horrible price to pay on a Columbus team that is 5-3-2 on their own ice this year either. Just 2 points separate these teams in the tough Central, and they have split four meetings so far this season.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago would’ve loved to get back on the ice on Saturday after falling 5-3 to Carolina on Friday. The NHL did some rescheduling so that Dallas would play the Hurricanes though, so the Blackhawks got an extra night off.
Kevin Lankinen had an unusually poor outing vs. Carolina on Friday allowing 4 goals although he did get pelted with 37 shots. Lankinen also served up six scores in a February 11th loss to these Blue Jackets, so there is some concern.
Other than a couple slip-ups, the rookie has been great though with a 7-3-1 record, 2.43 GAA, and .927 save percentage. He is a rookie though, and has had a couple bad outings – but also 2 goals allowed on 60 SOG in wins over the Blue Jackets and Red Wings the last three.
It wouldn’t hurt if the Blackhawks offense gave their guy a bit of help here. Patrick Kane did get back in the scoring column on Friday which is a good thing, but Chicago hasn’t broken the 3+ barrier in 5 of the last 6.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The good news for Columbus is that they’ve at least had the last 2 nights off before Tuesday’s meeting. That evens the fatigue plate a little bit and the Blue Jackets want to get back after it as well following a 4-2 loss to Nashville.
Overall the Blue Jackets are just 4-5-1 over their last 10, while the Blackhawks have gone 7-2-1 over that span. Chicago seems to have the momentum in this game, winning 6 of their last 8. Columbus has dropped 3 of 4.
Columbus did have one of their best offensive outings when they met Chicago on February 11th, capturing a 6-5 victory at the United Center. What really sticks out there though is the 5 goals allowed.
When the Blue Jackets are bad on defense – they are real bad. Columbus ranks 27th in the league giving up 3.3 per, and have allowed 4+ in 4 of the last 7. That includes a 7-3 loss to Carolina last Monday. Yuck.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Blackhawks are 6-2 in their last 8 overall.
- Blackhawks are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
- Under is 6-1 in Blackhawks last 7 road games.
- Under is 5-2 in Blue Jackets last 7 games as a favorite.
- Blackhawks are 21-8 in the last 29 h2h meetings.
- Under is 5-1 in the last 6 h2h meetings.
Free Chicago Blackhawks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Prediction:
These two teams also meet up on Thursday, and it wouldn’t be a huge shocker if they split this two game set. The series is 2-2 this season, although for the most part Chicago has been pretty dominant winning 21 of 29 vs. CLB.
The best play here looks like on the total though. Columbus always has the capability to be really bad on defense, and Lankinen has struggled at times for the Blackhawks lately.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Over 5.5
Both teams having extra rest does help the defense, but it makes the skaters very sharp as well.
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