Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 2/4/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

The Chicago Blackhawks (22-25-9) are traveling to Nationwide Arena on Wednesday where they will meet the Columbus Blue Jackets (27-20-7).

The Chicago Blackhawks were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 6-3 win over the Sharks their last time out. Chicago recorded 8 penalty mins in this outing. They also had 4 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to notch 1 goal. The Blackhawks had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in the victory. For the game, they earned a goal on 6 of the 17 shots they tried.

Chicago Blackhawks opponents have amassed 174 power play tries (7th in pro hockey) and have notched 25 goals in those attempts. The Blackhawks have had 1,661 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .894. Chicago has attempted 1,387 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.9%. While at even strength, the Blackhawks have allowed 151 goals while having 120 when they are on offense. Chicago has accounted for 159 power play opportunities and they have notched 31 goals out of those tries, giving them a percentage of 19.50%. For the current season, they have racked up 53 points and their points percentage is .473. Pertaining to scoring goals, the Chicago Blackhawks have accumulated 151 goals (26th in the league) so far this year and have given up 176.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Spencer Knight. Opponents have tallied 350 goals against Knight in his career and his goals against average is 2.85. Knight has participated in 133 games during his hockey career. His save percentage is .905 during his 5,130 mins played. He has amassed a record of 65-48-16 and he started in 123 games. In his professional hockey career, Knight is sitting with 65 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .528. Knight has had 3,697 shot attempts taken against him and has amassed 3,347 total saves.

Their last time out, Columbus opposed the Blues in an outing where the Blue Jackets took home the victory by a mark of 5-3. They had 2 power play chances in this outing and notched 1 out of those attempts. The Blue Jackets recorded 5 goals of the 23 shots on goal they pursued.

The Blue Jackets are sitting with 140 goals at even strength and 27 goals (26th in hockey) while on the power play. Columbus has taken 1,622 shots (8th in the league) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.30%, while allowing the opposition 1,647 shots. This season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched a total of 167 goals, 61 points, as well as a points percentage of .565. They have granted a total of 176 goals to be scored by way of 140 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 134 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 20.15%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 76.47% on their oppositions 153 power play tries, and their save percentage currently comes in at 89.3%.

Across the ice you are going to see Elvis Merzlikins in net. Merzlikins is the owner of a career mark of 104-108-36 and has played in 264 games. Merzlikins' quality start rate is 47.8% and he has 119 quality starts in his professional career. He has accrued 7,173 saves out of the 7,968 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .900. Opponents are averaging 3.19 goals per contest and he has surrendered 795 goals in total. He got the starting nod in 249 games and has played for a total of 12,979 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus

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