Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 12/23/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Friday, December 23, 2022

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

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

The Chicago Blackhawks (7-20-4) will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-20-2) at United Center on Friday. The odds on this game have the Blue Jackets at +106 and the Blackhawks are priced at -128. The total has been set at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to clean up some issues after taking a 5-3 loss to the Flyers in their previous game. Columbus tallied 2 mins in the box in this matchup. Furthermore, they had 1 power play attempt but didn't net one. The Blue Jackets had a middle of the road offensive outing in the loss. For the outing, they scored on 3 of the 33 shots they launched.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have amassed 99 power play opportunities (24th in hockey) and have scored 22 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets so far have had 1,135 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .886. Columbus has taken 941 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.3%. When at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 107 goals while notching 74 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus has 86 power play chances and they have scored 13 goals during those chances, earning them a rate of 15.12%. For the season, they have accumulated 22 points and their points percentage is .344. With respect to scoring goals, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 87 goals (27th in the National Hockey League) on the year and have allowed 129.

The man in net for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Throughout his time in hockey, Merzlikins has earned 59 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .488. He has a save percentage of .908 for his 7,337 minutes in the crease. Merzlikins has seen 4,067 shot attempts against him and has accrued 3,694 total saves. Opponents have racked up 373 goals against Merzlikins in his NHL career and his goals against average is 3.05. He has amassed an overall mark of 52-52-20 and he has started in 121 games. Merzlikins has participated in 134 games over the course of his NHL career.

Their last time out, Chicago faced off against the Predators in an outing where the Blackhawks took the loss by a final score of 4-2. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this matchup but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Blackhawks earned 2 goals out of the 39 shots on goal they took.

Chicago has taken 819 shots (31st in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 8.55%, while allowing their opponents 1,039 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 70.83% on their oppositions 96 power play chances, and their save percentage is 88.6%. They have a total of 96 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 21.88%. The Blackhawks have accumulated 49 goals at even strength and 21 goals (22nd in the league) while on the power play. They have granted a total of 118 goals to be scored by of a combination of 90 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they were shorthanded. On the campaign, the Chicago Blackhawks have a total of 70 goals, 18 points, in addition to a points percentage of .290.

On the other side of the ice you will find Alex Stalock protecting the goal. Stalock is sitting with a career record of 64-52-19 and has been in goal for 159 games. Stalock's quality start percentage comes out to 54.6% and he has made 71 quality starting assignments in his career. He has accrued 3,720 stops out of the 4,094 shots taken, giving him a save % of .909. Opponents are averaging 2.65 goals per contest and he has relinquished 374 goals in total. He has started in 130 games and has played for a total of 8,465 minutes.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago (-128)

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