Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks Prediction & Odds (Nov 19)

Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks Prediction: A Seven-Shot Gap

The Chicago Blackhawks get outshot by roughly seven shots a night. In per-game averages over 19 games, they put 22.95 shots on goal and allow 30.11. That gap drives this Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks prediction. The Columbus Blue Jackets visit United Center on Thursday, November 19, at 8:00 PM ET, with the game on ESPN+, CHSN and CBJNHL.

The Matchup: Blackhawks vs Blue Jackets by the Record

As of November 13, Columbus was 7-10-0 and Chicago was 5-13-1. Those three numbers are wins, regulation losses and overtime losses. Chicago sits 8th of 8 in the Central Division, 21 back of the lead. Columbus is 18 back of its division lead. This is the first meeting of the season. The last one came 288 days ago, and Chicago lost.

Both teams get one day of rest, and neither is on a back-to-back. Columbus plays game 2 of a road trip after flying 727 miles west from Elmont, one time zone. Chicago plays game 4 of a home stand. Recent headlines tell the mood: Columbus took a losing streak into Philadelphia, while Chicago snapped a six-game skid with a 3-2 overtime win over Buffalo.

Players to Watch

Connor Bedard leads Chicago with 15 points over 13 games, or 1.2 points per game. Over his last 5 games he averages 3 shots and 1.2 points per game. Kent Johnson leads Columbus with 17 points over 17 games, or 1 point per game. Over his last 5 games he averages 2.6 shots and 1 point per game. Per game, Bedard is the sharper producer. In goal, Jet Greaves started 3 of Columbus's last 5 games. A. Soderblom started 2 of Chicago's last 5, and Spencer Knight logged the most ice time in Chicago's previous game. Neither club has a confirmed starter in our data.

The Numbers: Who Is Favored to Win Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks?

Sportsbooks had not posted odds as of publication. When they do, the moneyline is a bet on who wins. The puck line is hockey's spread, usually 1.5 goals. The total is a bet on combined goals going over or under a number. Each price carries the vig, which is the book's built-in fee. Until odds post, the team numbers do the talking. Chicago ranks third to last of 32 in expected goals share at 42 percent over 12 games.

That means it creates only about 42 percent of the quality scoring chances in its games. Columbus wins 54.09 percent of faceoffs per game, while Chicago wins 42.39 percent. Over the last 5 games, Columbus scored 2.6 and allowed 2.8 per game, and Chicago scored 2 and allowed 3.4. Against the spread (ATS, meaning results versus the puck line), Columbus is 6-11 over 17 games and 0-6 as a favorite. Chicago is 7-12 ATS over 19 games. Our rating has Columbus at 51 percent and Chicago at 49 percent. That is context, not a pick.

Where the Value Is

Expected value means what a bet returns on average per $100 if you could make it again and again. With no price posted, there is no dollar figure to quote yet. Still, the shot gap, the faceoff gap and Chicago's chance share all lean toward Columbus. That 0-6 ATS mark as a favorite comes from the puck line, which is a different bet from the moneyline. We are not on the puck line here.

Injuries: Who Is Out for the Blackhawks?

Two names are listed. Chicago defenseman Bowen Byram is on Injured Reserve, meaning he is out for now. Columbus center Sean Monahan is Day-To-Day, meaning his status is uncertain. Check the final reports on Thursday before puck drop.

The Pick

We like the Columbus Blue Jackets moneyline. No price exists yet, so compare every book once lines open and take the best number. If the price gets expensive, passing is a fine decision.

The Prediction

Columbus controls the faceoff circle, wins the shot count and hangs on late. We project Columbus 3, Chicago 2. That is the read on this matchup; the Desk posts a documented free play daily, and it sits right below.