Two teams that split their head-to-head series (one win apiece) last year, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets take the ice at Nationwide Arena in an East-versus-West tilt. The matchup gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 20, and you are able to view the game live on WGN Channel 9.
Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus (-165) is currently the favorite over Chicago (+145) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Columbus is 4-2 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.6 units this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division so far in the early season, is fairly close to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (45-37). Through six regular season matches, four of the team’s games have gone over the total, while two have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team’s 2-1 SU at home.
The Blue Jackets have successfully converted on 16.0 percent of their power play opportunities in 2018-19. That mark hasn’t moved too much from last year, when they were ranked 25th in the league by scoring on 17.0 percent of their extra-man advantages. Their penalty kill has fallen off noticeably year-over-year as they’ve gone from successfully defending 75.0 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 29th overall last season) to 68.4 percent this year.
As a collective unit, the Blue Jackets have been penalized just 3.2 times per game this season. Last year, they posted the best mark in the league with 3.1 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.2 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 6.7 minutes per outing this year.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .875 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (2-2) has been the primary goalkeeper for Columbus this year. If Columbus decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to the undefeated Joonas Korpisalo (2-0 record, .902 save percentage, 2.95 goals against average).
The Jackets will continue seeking offensive production from Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson. Panarin (nine points) has produced three goals and six assists while Atkinson has four goals and two assists to his name so far in the early stages of the season.
On the other side of the ice, Chicago is 3-3 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through six regular season matches, five of its games have gone over the total, while one has gone under the total and none have pushed. The Blackhawks are 2-1 SU as the away team this season.
The Hawks have scored on 10.0 percent of their power play chances this year after converting on 16.0 percent of their extra-man opportunities last season (a percentage that was ranked just 28th in league-wide). The team’s gone from killing off 78.8 percent of opponent power plays (ranked 20th overall last season) to 64.7 percent in 2018-19.
Chicago’s players have been penalized only 3.0 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.3, which was the fifth-lowest mark in the league. After serving an average of 7.5 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to kill penalties for 6.0 minutes per outing this year.
Cam Ward (.879 save percentage and 4.07 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Chicago. Ward is averaging 30.4 saves per game and owns a 3-2-2 record.
Jonathan Toews (five goals, five assists) and Alex DeBrincat (six goals, four assists) are the top offensive options for Chicago and will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes
Chicago has yet to win a game by two or more goals this season.
The extra-man advantage may have a critical role in tonight’s game. The Blackhawks are 0-3 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 2-3 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Blue Jackets are 3-1 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 4-1 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
The total has gone over in four of Columbus’ last five outings.
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