Both teams will be hoping to end losing runs when the Chicago Blackhawks (7-20-4) welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets (10-20-2) at United Center on Friday. Columbus is coming off a high-scoring 5-3 loss against the Flyers on Tuesday, their fifth straight defeat.
The Blue Jackets committed only one penalty in the game, holding Philadelphia without a power play goal. Kent Johnson, Andrew Peeke, and Kirill Marchenko scored one apiece for the Blue Jackets. Daniil Tarasov saved only 34 of 38 shots against (.894%) in the loss.
Chicago dropped their eighth in a row, falling 4-2 to the Predators on Wednesday. Connor Murphy and MacKenzie Entwistle each scored once for the Blackhawks. Murphy added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Petr Mrazek only had 33 saves on 37 shots against (.891%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 7-4 victory for the Blue Jackets in February. Patrik Laine (3G 0A) and Boone Jenner (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Columbus.
Philipp Kurashev and Ryan Carpenter each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Chicago. Elvis Merzlikins got the win despite allowing four goals on 32 shots (.875%).
FACING OFF
Columbus is averaging 2.72 goals per game for the season, 27th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 3.81 goals a game (29th).
Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net a league-worst 2.26 times a game on average and will be looking to capitalize on the Blue Jackets’ weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score 4.03 goals per game (31st).
Chicago averages fewer shots a game (26.4) than any other team in the league, while the team’s 8.6% shooting percentage is 30th. With an average of 29.4 attempts, Columbus ranks 27th.
The Blue Jackets will be seeking to build on their 30th-ranked power play percentage of 15.48% against the Blackhawks, who are the league’s fourth-weakest penalty killing team (70.83%).
Chicago, meanwhile, has scored on 21.65% of their power play opportunities (17th), which the hosts will be aiming to improve on against Columbus’ 18th-ranked 77.78% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 34 points this season, Johnny Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He has 10 goals and 24 assists in 32 games. In the net, Joonas Korpisalo (4-5-1) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 3.53 GAA and a .903% save percentage. Merzlikins (4-8-0) leads the Blue Jackets in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 4.68 and a save percentage of .864%.
Patrick Kane and Max Domi lead the Blackhawks in scoring with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Kane has four goals and 18 assists in 31 games, while Domi has 10 goals and 11 assists.
Arvid Soderblom (2-10-2) has the best goals against average for Chicago at 3.45. He has a save percentage of .894%.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is seeking to reverse a five-game road losing streak this season. Chicago has lost 11 straight at United Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
