Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Chicago Blackhawks prediction, December 1st, 2024 NHL tips, best bets and odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: Chicago Sports Network

Odds/point distribution: Blue Jackets (-144) Blackhawks (+120)

The Chicago Blackhawks (8-12-2) will play the Columbus Blue Jackets (9-9-3) on Sunday at the United Center. The moneyline for this contest is Columbus at -144, while Chicago starts at +120. The total number is 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to iron out some kinks after suffering a 4-3 loss to the Canadiens for their last time on the ice. Columbus recorded 11 penalty minutes in the contest. The Blue Jackets’ offense showed they still have room for improvement in this loss. Additionally, they had three power play attempts but failed to score. For the game, they scored on three of the 24 shots they took on goal.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets’ opponents have made a total of 65 power play attempts (19th in the NHL) and scored 15 goals. The Blue Jackets have had 605 shots against them so far and have a save percentage of .874. Columbus took 666 shots and had a shooting percentage of 10.8%. At even strength, the Blue Jackets conceded 61 goals while scoring 62 on offense. Columbus enters tonight’s game with 58 power play chances and has scored 10 goals on those attempts, a rate of 17.24%. For the season they have 21 points and their points percentage is .500. When it comes to scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have scored 72 goals (9th in professional hockey) and conceded 76 over the course of the season.

Elvis Merzlikins will patrol the goal crease during the game. Over the course of his career, Merzlikins recorded 90 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .474. His save percentage currently stands at .903 for his 10,482 minutes between the pipes. Merzlikins had 6,191 shot attempts against him and totaled 5,592 saves. The opponent has scored 599 goals against Merzlikins in his professional career and his goals-against rate is 3.43. He posted an overall mark of 74-84-32 and started in 190 games. Merzlikins has played in 204 games over the course of his professional hockey career.

In their last game, Chicago faced the Stars in a game where the Blackhawks won 6-2. The Blackhawks scored 6 goals from the 26 shots they attempted. They had two power play opportunities in this game and took advantage of one of them.

On the season, the Chicago Blackhawks have scored 55 goals, 18 points and a points percentage of .409. They allowed 65 goals, a combination of 51 goals at even strength and 14 goals while having fewer men on the ice. The Blackhawks have scored 43 goals at even strength and 12 goals (20th in hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have a total of 55 power play opportunities and a power play rate of 21.82%. Chicago took 572 shots (29th in professional hockey) and posted a shooting percentage of 9.62%, while the other team allowed 678 shots. In the other teams’ 65 power play chances, they have achieved a penalty kill rate of 78.46%, and their save rate is currently 90.4%.

On the other side of the ice you can see Petr Mrazek defending the goal. Mrazek has a career record of 175-163-39 and has played in 406 games. Mrazek’s quality start rate is 52.0% and he has 195 quality starts in his professional hockey career. Of the 11,451 shots fired, he saved 10,391, giving him a percentage of 0.907. His opponents average 2.91 goals per game and he has conceded a total of 1,060 goals. He started 375 games and played 21,846 minutes.

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

Josh’s Pick: Take Columbus (-144)

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