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Columbus (25-20-7) at Chicago (21-23-9)
- When: Jan 30 2026, 8:30 PM
- Where: United Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- TV: NHL Network
Columbus vs Chicago NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Columbus -145
Spread: Columbus -1.5 (+170)
Total: 6.5
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus is rolling into Chicago feeling pretty good about life and hockey and probably hotel breakfast. The Blue Jackets have won three straight and seven of their last eight, which is the kind of stretch that makes players casually check the standings while pretending they do not.
Zach Werenski is absolutely checking the standings, by the way. He said it. Out loud. He knows where Columbus sits and what is at stake, and that urgency is showing up on the ice. The Blue Jackets are suddenly organized, confident, and playing with purpose, which is a dramatic shift from earlier in the season.
Sean Monahan has been clutch, scoring the go ahead goal late in the third period against Philadelphia after the Flyers erased a two goal deficit. He now has goals in three of his last four games. Charlie Coyle is also heating up with five points over his last two games, while Mathieu Olivier continues to quietly contribute. Elvis Merzlikins added 24 saves in the win, and Werenski and Cole Sillinger each posted two assists.
Under Rick Bowness, Columbus is 6-1-0 and looks like a team that finally understands its identity. They are not flashy. They are not subtle. They just keep pushing until the other team cracks.
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago is doing the opposite of rolling. The Blackhawks are skating into the second game of a back to back after a rough night in Pittsburgh, where things went sideways fast. The game was tied after one period, and then Chicago spent the next forty minutes chasing the puck like it owed them money.
Connor Bedard scored. Connor Murphy scored. Arvid Soderblom made 38 saves. And none of it really mattered once the Penguins started piling up shots. Chicago was outshot 36 11 over the final two periods, which is not ideal if winning is the goal.
Confidence is clearly an issue. Head coach Jeff Blashill admitted that swagger is missing, and that is a polite way of saying vibes are bad. Nick Foligno left early with an undisclosed injury, which only adds another question mark to an already fragile lineup.
One bright spot is Ryan Greene, who picked up an assist to become the second Blackhawks rookie with 20 points this season, joining Artyom Levshunov. Spencer Knight has also been solid historically against Columbus, going 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .944 save percentage in his career against them.
Betting Outlook and Prediction
This matchup screams momentum versus fatigue. Columbus is confident and rested. Chicago is tired and searching for answers. The Blue Jackets are not perfect, but they are far more stable right now.
Expect goals. Chicago still gives up chances, and Columbus is finishing better than usual. The total sits at 6.5 for a reason.
Columbus keeps climbing. Chicago keeps searching. Hockey remains cruel and entertaining.
Score Prediction: Blue Jackets 4, Blackhawks 3
Pick: Blue Jackets ML (-145)
Total: Over 6.5 (+100)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
