Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions December 1st 2024

Betting on today’s Blue Jackets and Blackhawks game? Catch the action at United Center in Chicago, IL, as the Blackhawks hosts this showdown at 3:00 ET on ESPN+. The Blue Jackets are favored by -1.5 goals in this non-conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6 goals.

Columbus vs. Chicago Key Information

• Teams: Blue Jackets at Blackhawks
• Where: United Center Chicago
• Date: Sunday, December 1st
• Betting Odds CBJ -119 | CHI -101 O/U 6

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus dropped to 10-9-3 after a 7-2 road loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, with the total set at 6.5 goals. The combined 9 goals went well over that mark.

Defensively, the Blue Jackets struggled right from the start, allowing five goals in the first period. Damon Severson and Kevin Labanc each scored for Columbus, but the game was never close.

Columbus fired 36 shots on goal but only managed two scores in their 7-2 loss to the Capitals. Damon Severson netted his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson got them on the board 49 seconds into the second period.

Labanc’s goal came with 5:24 left in the second period. Sean Monahan picked up his fifth assist of the season on the play, and Zach Aston-Reese recorded his second assist. Columbus had 13 giveaways in the game.

Defensively, the Blue Jackets gave up the first five goals of the game, all in the first period. They allowed another goal in the second and one more in the third, leading to a 7-2 loss. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves with a 68.2% save percentage. The Blue Jackets’ defense finished with 10 takeaways and 17 hits.

• The Blue Jackets have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. In addition, their puck line record over this stretch is 2-1 while posting a 3-0 over-under mark.
• Columbus has put together a record of 5-5 in their last ten games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 7-2-1 on the over-under.

The Blackhawks Can Win If…

With a 4-2 win over the Ducks, the Blackhawks improved to 8-13-2 this season. Chicago, as underdogs on the puck line, covered the spread, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 set before the game.

All four of Chicago’s goals came from different players, and they held the Ducks scoreless until the third period. The Blackhawks scored twice in the first period, adding another goal in the second before Anaheim finally got on the board.

Chicago’s offense netted four goals in their 4-2 win over Anaheim, with Ryan Donato scoring his 7th of the season. Seth Jones added his 2nd goal, while Teuvo Teravainen scored his 4th, and Isaak Phillips found the net for the first time this season.

The Blackhawks took 29 shots on goal and scored twice on power plays. Connor Bedard picked up two assists, bringing his total to 9 for the season. Chicago had 12 giveaways in the game.

On defense, the Blackhawks will look to carry over their performance from their last game, where they allowed just 2 goals. Arvid Söderblom made 38 saves, finishing with a 95% save percentage. The defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 5 hits. Chicago will aim to tighten up in the 3rd period, as both goals they allowed came in the final frame.

• Across Chicago’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 3-0 to go along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• The Blackhawks have gone 3-7 over their last ten regular season games. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 5-5 and an over-under mark of 1-9.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Blackhawks to pick up on a win over the Blue Jackets at home. With the moneyline sitting at -101, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Blackhawks straight-up.

Our projections have the Blackhawks pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Blackhawks, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Blue Jackets’ Momentum Sparks Confidence

The Columbus Blue Jackets have turned their season around with a stellar finish to November, going 5-1-1 in their last seven games. After enduring a six-game losing streak earlier in the month, the team has rebounded impressively, showing signs of a resilient and cohesive group.

In their latest outing, the Blue Jackets defeated the Calgary Flames 5-2 on Friday, extending their unbeaten streak to five games (4-0-1). The turnaround, fueled by an offensive surge, has Columbus averaging 3.50 goals per game, placing them 10th in the NHL in scoring.

Contributions Across the Board

Columbus’ success has been a team effort. Eight players have recorded at least five goals this season, with Kirill Marchenko leading the way at nine. Adam Fantilli, the 2023 third-overall draft pick, added two goals against Calgary, breaking a personal drought dating back to late October.

Head coach Dean Evason praised Fantilli’s commitment to playing a two-way game:

“If he plays the right way defensively and sound in all areas, the scoring will come,” Evason said.

Blackhawks Struggle to Find Consistency

Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks are still searching for stability. Sitting in last place in the NHL, the Blackhawks have shown flashes of promise but remain unable to string together wins. Over their last five games, Chicago has alternated between victories and defeats, including a disappointing 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Friday.

Despite taking an early 2-0 lead against Minnesota, the Blackhawks couldn’t maintain their advantage, surrendering three goals in a seven-minute stretch during the second period.

Ryan Donato voiced the team’s frustrations after the loss:

“It’s infuriating and hard to lose games and have it be that way, especially when you get off to a good start,” he said.

The Blackhawks have held second-period leads in six straight games but have gone 2-3-1 in that stretch. Head coach Luke Richardson emphasized the need for sustained focus:

“We got to make sure we’re getting into a mode where we can hold that and sustain it,” Richardson said.

Key Matchups to Watch

Blue Jackets’ Balanced Offense vs. Blackhawks’ Defense

The Blue Jackets’ diverse scoring threats will test Chicago’s defense, which has struggled to close out games. Can Chicago tighten up in front of goalie Arvid Söderblom, who has had an inconsistent start to the season?

Fantilli’s Emergence

Adam Fantilli’s breakout performance against Calgary could spark a run of form for the rookie. His playmaking abilities and defensive awareness are crucial as Columbus aims to extend their streak.

Blackhawks’ Response to Pressure

Chicago’s inability to hold onto leads has been their Achilles’ heel. The Blackhawks need contributions from players like Connor Bedard and Ryan Donato to match Columbus’ offensive firepower.

Prediction

The Blue Jackets are riding high with their recent form, while the Blackhawks are struggling to find their footing. Columbus’ ability to generate offense from multiple lines should give them the edge, even in Chicago’s home building.

Final Score Prediction: Blue Jackets 4, Blackhawks 2

This matchup highlights two teams at different points in their trajectories, with the Blue Jackets aiming to solidify their turnaround and the Blackhawks seeking consistency in a tough season.