Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 12/31/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+106) Blue Jackets (-128)

Nationwide Arena is where the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-22-2) will take on the Chicago Blackhawks (8-22-4) on Saturday. The moneyline on this game has Chicago at +106 while Columbus is at -128. The total comes in at 7.

The Chicago Blackhawks will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 3-1 loss to the Blues in their last outing. The Blackhawks didn't have their best offensive outing in the defeat. In the matchup, they tallied a score on 1 out of the 22 shots they tried. Moreover, they had 2 power play opportunities and notched 1 goal. Chicago accounted for 6 penalty minutes in this matchup.

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Chicago Blackhawks opponents have tallied 106 power play opportunities (27th in professional hockey) and have a total of 29 goals in those attempts. The Blackhawks thus far have had 1,146 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .890. Chicago has taken 903 shots and is the owner of a shot percentage of 8.4%. When playing at even strength, the Blackhawks have conceded 97 goals while getting 53 themselves. Chicago steps onto the ice with 106 power play chances and they have scored 23 goals during those chances, earning them a percentage of 21.70%. For the year, they have recorded 20 points and their points percentage is sitting at .294. In terms of scoring goals, the Chicago Blackhawks have notched 76 goals (32nd in pro hockey) for the year and have surrendered 126.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Petr Mrazek. In his career, Mrazek has accrued 141 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .502. His save percentage currently is at .908 during his 17,232 mins played. Mrazek has seen 8,430 shots taken against him and has gathered 7,653 saves. Opponents have been able to score 777 goals versus Mrazek in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 2.71. He has amassed a mark of 142-111-32 and he was named the starter in 281 games. Mrazek has been involved in 308 contests over the course of his professional hockey career.

In their last game, Columbus went up against the Islanders in an outing where the Blue Jackets ended up losing by a final score of 2-1. They had 2 power play chances in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal. The Blue Jackets netted 1 goal out of the 21 shots on goal they took.

The Blue Jackets have accumulated 76 goals at even strength and 14 goals (32nd in the league) while having more men on the ice. Columbus has taken 991 shots (29th in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.08%, while allowing the other team 1,209 shots. So far this year, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned a total of 90 goals, 22 points, in addition to a points percentage of .324. They have granted a total of 136 goals to be scored by of a combination of 112 goals at even strength and 24 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 92 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 15.22%. They have a penalty kill rate of 77.57% on their oppositions 107 power play chances, and their save percentage is 88.8%.

Across the rink you will find Joonas Korpisalo protecting the goal. Korpisalo is the owner of a career record of 80-73-22 and has played in 196 games. Korpisalo's percentage of quality starts is 46.6% and he has accumulated 82 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has recorded 5,031 saves out of 5,577 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .902. Opponents are averaging 3.06 goals per game and he has surrendered 546 goals overall. He has started in 176 games and his ice time sits at 10,711 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (-128)

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