Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks NHL Sat, Feb 22, 19:00 pm.
Columbus Blue Jackets
ML: -170
0
0
Chicago Blackhawks
ML: 150

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Columbus Blue Jackets vs Chicago Blackhawks February 22nd 2025

Planning on watching today’s Blackhawks and Blue Jackets game? Catch the action at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH, as the Blue Jackets hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this game is set at 6.5 goals, and the Blue Jackets are favored by -1.5 vs. the Blackhawks in a non-conference matchup.

Chicago vs. Columbus Key Information

  • Teams: Blackhawks at Blue Jackets
  • Where: Nationwide Arena Columbus
  • Date: Saturday, February 22nd
  • Betting Odds CBJ -181 | CHI +151 O/U 6.5

The Blackhawks Can Win If…

Chicago improved to 17-31-7 with a 4-2 road win over the Ducks. Entering the game as underdogs on the puck line, the Blackhawks covered. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 6 fell just short.

Four different players scored for Chicago, who led 3-0 before the Ducks got on the board. The Blackhawks’ defense held Anaheim scoreless until 10:16 in the third period.

Chicago’s offense netted 4 goals on 29 shots in their 4-2 win over Anaheim. Ryan Donato scored his 7th goal of the season, while Seth Jones added his 2nd. Isaak Phillips and Teuvo Teravainen also found the net, with Teravainen’s goal coming on a power play. The Blackhawks recorded 12 giveaways.

Connor Bedard contributed with 3 assists, bringing his season total to 9. Taylor Hall added two assists, now with 4 for the year. Chicago scored twice in the 1st period, once in the 2nd, and capped their scoring with Donato’s goal in the 3rd.

Chicago’s defense will look to build on their previous performance, where they allowed just two goals to the Ducks. Arvid Söderblom made 38 saves with a 95% save percentage. The Blackhawks’ defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 5 hits. Both goals they allowed came in the 3rd period, including one with just four seconds remaining.

  • Over their last three regular season games, the Blackhawks have gone 1-2 straight up. They have held up well vs the puck line in these matchups, going 3-0 as well as an over-under record of 3-0.
  • Over their last ten regular season games, the Blackhawks have gone 3-7 straight up. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 8-2, in addition to an over-under mark of 7-2-1.

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus fell to 26-22-8 after a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets’ defense struggled from the start, allowing five goals in the first period. Columbus entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 9 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

Both of the Blue Jackets’ goals came in the second period, but they were already trailing by five before getting on the board. Damon Severson scored the team’s first goal at 19:11 in the second period.

Columbus took 36 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 7-2 loss to the Capitals. Damon Severson scored 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.

Columbus recorded 13 giveaways and failed to convert on any power play opportunities. Adam Fantilli picked up his fourth assist on Severson’s goal, and Sean Monahan earned his fifth assist on Labanc’s second-period tally.

Defensively, the Blue Jackets had a rough outing, allowing 7 goals on 22 shots from the Capitals. Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves but had a save percentage of just 68.2%. The defense also recorded 10 takeaways and 17 hits. The Jackets gave up the first five goals of the game, with the last coming at 5:02 in the first period. After narrowing the score to 6-2, they allowed another goal at 1:26 in the 3rd period.

  • Columbus has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). Across this span, their puck line record sits at 3-0 to go along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
  • The Blue Jackets have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 7-3, in addition to an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lean

If you’re interested in a pure moneyline wager, then the Blue Jackets is the preferred option. However, with a payout of -181, it might be worth considering this bet as a component of a larger parlay.

When it comes to my suggested pick for the puck line, I’d advise taking the Blackhawks to cover. Even in the event of a Blue Jackets victory, this matchup is likely to remain closely contested, and the Blackhawks should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Columbus Eyes Playoff Push with Key Players Returning

With the 4 Nations Face-Off break complete, the Columbus Blue Jackets return to action Saturday night, determined to secure their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2020. As they host the Chicago Blackhawks, the Blue Jackets sit one point behind the Detroit Red Wings and two behind the Ottawa Senators, both of whom currently occupy the Eastern Conference wild-card spots.

Navigating a season marred by injuries and the emotional challenge of Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death, Columbus has managed to stay within striking distance of postseason contention. Yet, they know the competition will intensify as teams gear up for the stretch run.

“We’ve been trying to get to the playoffs since I’ve been here,” forward Justin Danforth told the Columbus Dispatch. “It hasn’t been a lack of effort. It’s just that things haven’t played out the way we wanted them to play out yet. This is fun. It’s just different, but it’s something I’ve missed. We’ll be excited for the stretch run.”

The Blue Jackets are winless in their last four games (0-3-1), but they could receive a major boost with the return of several key players. Captain Boone Jenner, sidelined since October due to shoulder surgery, is expected to make his season debut on Saturday after being activated off injured reserve. Also back is Kirill Marchenko, who leads the team with 21 goals.

Forward Yegor Chinakhov and defenseman Dante Fabbro are also nearing returns, while defenseman Erik Gudbranson and center Sean Monahan are likely to be back by mid-March. Head coach Dean Evason expressed optimism about the team’s health heading into the final stretch of the season.

“They’re pretty tight. So, we expect them to come back ready to make a push at the end of this break,” Evason said.

Blackhawks Focus on Development Amid Rebuild

While the Blue Jackets chase a playoff berth, the Chicago Blackhawks return to action with different goals in mind. Sitting 31st in the league, ahead of only the San Jose Sharks, Chicago is focused on developing its young talent and building a foundation for future success.

The Blackhawks closed out the pre-break schedule with a 6-5 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 8. Despite holding a late lead, they were unable to secure the victory, a recurring theme for a team still learning to close out games.

However, Chicago has shown signs of improvement, posting a 3-3-5 record over its last 11 games. Captain Nick Foligno sees progress in the team’s performance, even if the results haven’t consistently gone their way.

“If you look at the way we’ve been playing of late, it’s been a pretty exciting brand of hockey, honestly,” Foligno said. “It’s disappointing we didn’t get that win in St. Louis, but we’ve had some really strong games where we played hard, we played excitable and emotional hockey. And I think that’s what we need. We need to have that to bring consistency in every game.”

With the team likely headed for a top-three draft pick for the third straight year, interim coach Anders Sorensen remains focused on player development and fostering a competitive mindset.

“We’ll try to cut down on our D-zone time a little bit,” Sorensen said. “And then overall individually for guys to keep taking strides here, if it’s young guys or even some of the older guys to keep progressing here.”

Playoff Implications for Columbus and Development Goals for Chicago

Saturday’s game carries more weight for the Blue Jackets, who are looking to snap a four-game skid and close the gap in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With Jenner and Marchenko back in the lineup, Columbus hopes to find the scoring touch that has eluded them in recent outings.

For the Blackhawks, the focus is on building confidence and consistency while providing their young players with valuable experience. Although their playoff hopes are all but extinguished, every game represents an opportunity to grow and lay the groundwork for future success.

With both teams eager to make a statement, Saturday’s matchup promises to be a compelling clash of playoff aspirations and developmental progress. Will the Blue Jackets take advantage of their returning stars to bolster their postseason push, or will the Blackhawks play spoiler as they continue to shape their future?

WinningCappers, The most trusted name in sports handicapping
Fri, Feb 21, 01:15 am.
spread
moneyline
over/under
Columbus Blue Jackets
-1.5
150
-170
O 6.5
105
Chicago Blackhawks
+1.5
-170
150
U 6.5
-125
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