Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions! In this matchup, the Chicago Blackhawks hit the road to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the final game before the Olympic break. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey analyze the day’s games and provide in-depth analysis. We break down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then make predictions based on how they might play out. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Season Series: Blue Jackets Lead 1-0-0

How to Watch TV: ESPN+, CHSN, FDSN OH

Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks look for revenge against Zach Werenski and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

These two teams met on Friday at the United Center, with the Jackets earning a 4-2 win. The story of this one was Charlie Coyle. He netted a hat-trick and collected an assist on Mathieu Olivier‘s marker. Coyle collected a point on every Columbus goal and continued his red-hot play. Zach Werenski had two assists, while Kirill Marchenko and Cole Sillinger also had helpers. For the Hawks, their top line showed up in the loss. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar netted goals, with Tyler Bertuzzi assisting both. The Hawks never led and are seeking revenge in their final game before the Olympic break.

Blackhawks Looking to Build Off High-Scoring Performance

The Hawks finally put together a complete performance on Monday night against the Sharks. Chicago scored six goals on just 17 shots and jumped on the Sharks. Connor Bedard opened the scoring on the power play before the Hawks exploded in the second period. The big story was the Ryan Donato, Ilya Mikheyev, and Jason Dickinson line. They have really come on in the last five games and continued their strong play against the Sharks. Donato netted two goals and four points, Mikheyev had four points, and Dickinson collected two assists. A pair of defenders, Connor Murphy and Sam Rinzel, also netted goals. Spencer Knight stopped 24 of 27 shots faced and should be back in the crease against the Blue Jackets.

Sam Rinzel saw his second straight night of action, while Artyom Levshunov continues to sit. He has grabbed hold of the opportunity and played well. He has logged over 20 minutes in each game and has not been afraid to let shots fly. The win on Monday night snapped a five-game losing streak. In the standings, the Hawks sit eight points out of the wild card. It is an uphill battle to sneak in, so stringing together strong games is crucial. They certainly have an opportunity to do that tonight and head into the break with back-to-back wins.

Blue Jackets Looking to Keep Good Times Rolling

This is the second half of a back-to-back for the Blue Jackets. The club just knocked off the New Jersey Devils last night and is trying to take down the Hawks for the second time in less than a week. Against the Devils, Dante Fabbro opened the scoring before Mathieu Olivier netted a pair of goals in the third to seal the shutout victory. Elvis Merzlikins stopped all 24 shots faced to earn the win. Charlie Coyle continued his hot play with an assist, while captain Boone Jenner collected his 19th assist of the season. It was an impressive all-around performance that Columbus is hoping to replicate against the Hawks.

Columbus has remained one of the hottest teams in hockey since hiring Rick Bowness. They enter this game 9-1-0 in their last ten games and suddenly are just four points back of the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division. Zach Werenski has been their guy all season long. He leads the team with 61 points and is on the way to Milano-Cortina for Team USA. Up front, Coyle has been the best forward in that stretch. He has nine goals and 14 points in the last ten games. He, along with Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli, has driven the offensive bus for the team. In the net, Jet Greaves is the club’s best goaltender, sporting a .908 save percentage this year. With Merzlikins starting against the Devils, Greaves will be between the pipes in this one.

As always, be sure to check social media before puck drop for lineups and starting goaltender information. 

NHL Prediction

Expect the Hawks to build off the strong game against the Sharks and put together another good performance in this one.

Prediction: Hawks win 2-1

Prop Bets

Chicago is +132 on the moneyline, while we also like a pair of goal scorers for each team: Frank Nazar at +330 and Dmitri Voronkov at +380.

Main Photo: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

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