Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 2/22/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: NBC4 WCMH-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+126) Blue Jackets (-152)

The Chicago Blackhawks (17-31-7) are en route to Nationwide Arena on Saturday where they will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (26-22-8). The moneyline on this game has the Blackhawks at +126 and the Blue Jackets are opening at -152. The total comes in at 6.

The Chicago Blackhawks had a decent effort after finishing in a 5-5 tie against the Blues in their previous game. Chicago accrued 4 penalty mins for this matchup. They also had 1 opportunity with more players on the ice but weren't able to make the most of that try. The Blackhawks had a solid offensive output in this game. In the game, they netted 5 of the 20 shots they put on goal.

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At even strength, the Blackhawks have allowed the opponent to score 160 goals while scoring 116 themselves. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have tallied 161 power play tries (14th in pro hockey) and have tallied 29 goals in those chances. Concerning their scoring, the Chicago Blackhawks have racked up 148 goals (28th in the NHL) on the season and have given up 189. Chicago has tried 1,361 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.9%. For the season, they sit with 41 points and their points percentage is .373. The Blackhawks so far have had 1,750 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .892. Chicago comes into the game with 130 power play opportunities and they have tallied 32 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 24.62%.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Petr Mrazek. Over the course of his pro career, Mrazek has 200 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .513. His save percentage currently sits at .906 in his 21,879 mins guarding the cage. Mrazek has seen 11,900 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 10,786 total saves. The opposition has scored 1,114 goals versus Mrazek in his pro career and his goals against rate is 3.05. He has earned an overall mark of 178-173-40 and he has gotten the start in 390 games. Mrazek has participated in 421 contests over the course of his pro hockey career.

Their last time out, Columbus played the Rangers in a game where the Blue Jackets ended up losing by a tally of 4-3. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this game but weren't able to score a goal. The Blue Jackets had 3 goals of the 25 shots on goal they were seeking.

During this campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 180 goals, 60 points, as well as a points percentage of .536. They have allowed 185 goals to be scored by way of 148 goals at even strength and 37 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blue Jackets have tallied 152 goals at even strength and 28 goals (24th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have recorded 133 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 21.05%. Columbus has tried 1,623 shots (11th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 11.09%, while allowing their opponents 1,645 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 75.33% on their opponents 150 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 88.8%.

Across the ice you are going to see Elvis Merzlikins between the pipes. He is sitting with 6,208 saves out of 6,877 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .903. Merzlikins has accrued a career record of 87-93-34 and has played in 228 games. He got the starting nod in 214 games and has played 10,543 minutes. Merzlikins' percentage of quality starts is 48.1% and he has made 103 quality starts in his pro hockey career. His opposition is averaging 3.81 goals/game and he has relinquished 669 goals altogether.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago (+126)

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