Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 2/17/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Thursday, February 17, 2022

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+125) Blackhawks (-152)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (23-23-1) are on their way to United Center on Thursday where they will take on the Chicago Blackhawks (18-24-7). The odds on this game have Columbus at +125 and Chicago is coming in at -152. The betting total is set at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 6-2 loss to the Flames in their previous game. Columbus accumulated 2 mins in the box in this matchup. The Blue Jackets had an offensive game that was below their expectations in this loss. Additionally, they had 1 power play attempt but weren't able to convert it into a goal. For the outing, they netted 2 out of the 20 shots they launched.

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In relation to their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have racked up 146 goals (14th in hockey) so far this season and have conceded 172. For the current campaign, they have recorded 47 points and their points % is .500. Columbus comes into tonight with 117 power play opportunities and they have added 20 goals out of those tries, giving them a rate of 17.09%. When at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed the opponent to score 146 goals while having 126 of their own. Columbus has taken 1,389 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.5%. The Blue Jackets have had 1,655 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .896. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 133 power play opportunities (21st in hockey) and have racked up 26 goals in those attempts.

The man in goal for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Over the course of his career, Merzlikins has 45 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .536. His save percentage is .914 during his 4,988 mins in the crease. Merzlikins has had 2,732 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 2,497 saves. The opposition has been able to score 235 goals against Merzlikins in his professional career and his goals against average is 2.83. He has a win-loss record of 38-34-14 and he started in 84 games. Merzlikins has taken the ice for 92 games during his hockey career.

Their last time out, Chicago opposed the Jets in an outing where the Blackhawks took home the win by a score of 3-1. They had 1 power play chance in this one but weren't able to score a goal. The Blackhawks tallied 3 goals of the 24 shots on goal they took.

Chicago has attempted 1,395 shots (25th in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 8.39%, while allowing their opponents 1,574 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 74.65% on their oppositions 142 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage is 89.7%. They have a tally of 150 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 20.00%. The Blackhawks have earned 87 goals at even strength and 30 goals (15th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have granted a total of 162 goals to be scored by way of 126 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they had less men on the ice. During this campaign, the Chicago Blackhawks have earned 117 goals, 43 points, and a points percentage of .439.

For the opposition you will find Marc-Andre Fleury between the pipes. Fleury is the owner of a career mark of 508-293-85 and has been in net for 919 contests. Fleury's quality start rate comes out to 55.4% and he has 423 quality starting assignments in his career. He has recorded 23,840 stops out of 26,109 shots taken, giving him a percentage of .913. His opposition is averaging 2.56 goals per game and he has relinquished 2,269 goals altogether. He has started in 763 games and has accumulated 53,185 minutes.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago (-152)

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