Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 1/31/2021 NHL Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Sunday, January 31, 2021

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (-118) Blackhawks (-102)

Kevin Lankinen and the Chicago Blackhawks (2-4-3) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (4-2-3) at United Center on Sunday. The Blue Jackets open this matchup at -118 while the Blackhawks are priced at -102. The total opens at 5.5.

The Blue Jackets came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 2 - 1 win against the Blackhawks in their previous game. The Blue Jackets had a below average offensive outing in this victory. For the matchup, they converted 2 out of the 27 shots they put on net. Furthermore, they had 2 power play chances and were able to net 1 goal out of those chances. Columbus earned a total of 6 penalty minutes while out there on the ice. The Corsi for the Blue Jackets sat at 39 and the Corsi against was 51 telling us they have a Corsi percentage of 43.3%. Their Fenwick was 29 and the Fenwick against was 32, which earned them a Fenwick percentage of 47.5%. They earned 19 face-off wins and were beaten on 20 tries to control the puck. The offensive zone starts for them were rated at 46.4% and they had a PDO of 104.2 in this one. With regard to the opposition's stats, the Chicago Blackhawks racked up a total of 32 shots. They had 4 penalty mins and they earned 3 power play chances.

The Blue Jackets have had 299 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .920. While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 21 goals while scoring 18 themselves. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 20 power play tries (25th in professional hockey) and have racked up 3 goals in those chances. For the current campaign, they have earned 11 points and their points % is .611. Columbus has tried 260 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 8.5%. When talking about their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 22 goals (13th in the NHL) this season and have given up 24. Columbus is sitting with 24 power play chances and they have notched 3 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 12.50%.

The man in goal for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. The opposition has racked up 83 goals against Merzlikins in his professional hockey career and his goals against average per game is 2.42. Merzlikins has been in goal for 37 games over the course of his pro hockey career. His save percentage is .921 during his 2,060 minutes guarding the cage. He has earned an overall mark of 15-10-9 and he has gotten the start in 35 games. In his professional hockey career, Merzlikins has accumulated 19 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .543. Merzlikins has had 1,046 shots against him and has accrued 963 total saves.

In their loss to Columbus, Chicago went home with a 56.7% Corsi rating. They got there by having a Corsi of 51 while they conceded a Corsi of 39. They earned a Fenwick percentage of 52.5% by way of having a Fenwick of 32 and the Blue Jackets having earned a 29 Fenwick. This Corsi rating is telling of the kind of game that Chicago had and we'd say it was a below average outing in all. Their PDO at even strength was 95.8 and they finished the game with an oZS percentage of 53.6%. The Blackhawks scored 1 goal out of the 32 shots on goal they attempted. They had 3 power play attempts in this game and were able to convert 1 out of those opportunities. Regarding the opposition, the Blue Jackets had 2 power play opportunities and were able to tally 1 goal. Chicago conceded 27 shots on goal and the Blue Jackets had a total of 6 minutes in the box.

The Blackhawks have scored 12 goals at even strength and 10 goals (4th in hockey) while on the power play. Chicago has attempted 271 shots (3rd in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 8.49%, while allowing the other team 302 shots. So far this season, the Chicago Blackhawks have earned a total of 23 goals, 7 points, as well as a points percentage of .389. They have a total of 28 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 35.71%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 77.14% on their opponents 35 power play tries, and their save percentage is 8.5%. They have permitted 29 goals to be scored by way of 21 goals at even strength and 8 goals while they had less men on the ice.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Kevin Lankinen in goal. Lankinen has compiled a career mark of 2-1-2 and has participated in 5 games. Lankinen's quality start rate is 80.0% and he has 4 quality starts in his pro career. He has gathered 146 saves out of the 157 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .930. Opponents are averaging 2.16 goals per game and he has surrendered 11 goals altogether. He has started in 5 games and has racked up 306 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (-118)

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