The Chicago Blackhawks head to Nationwide Arena to face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second and final meeting of the 2025-26 regular season. The Blackhawks, sitting sixth in the Central Division with 53 points, look to avenge a 4-2 home loss to the Blue Jackets just five days ago and end a five-game losing streak before the Olympic break. Columbus, fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 63 points, aims to extend their season-best five-game win streak and solidify their playoff position. This Central vs. Metropolitan clash features contrasting forms: Columbus’s hot streak against Chicago’s slump, with key injuries potentially tilting the balance in a game expected to be low-scoring and physical.
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio (capacity: 18,144; known for its energetic crowd and as a tough venue for visitors).
Face-Off Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. local time).
Broadcast: ESPN+, FDSNOH (local Blue Jackets), CHSN (local Blackhawks).
Recent Team Forms
Blackhawks: Chicago has lost five straight, including a 4-2 defeat to Columbus on January 30. They rank 25th in goals per game (2.70) and 20th in goals against (3.14), struggling with consistency and injuries. Form: L 3-6 vs PIT, L 2-4 vs CBJ, L 2-6 @ MIN, L 3-4 vs FLA, L 1-5 vs TBL (averaging 2.2 GPG scored, 4.0 GPG allowed).
Blue Jackets: Columbus is on a five-game win streak, including a 3-0 shutout over New Jersey on February 3. They rank 12th in goals per game (3.09) and 18th in goals against (3.20), with strong recent goaltending. Form: W 3-0 @ NJD, W 5-3 @ STL, W 4-2 @ CHI, W 5-3 vs PHI, W 8-5 vs TBL (averaging 4.0 GPG scored, 2.6 GPG allowed).
Injury Report
Blackhawks:
Out: Shea Weber (D, Ankle – out for season).
Day-to-Day: Nick Foligno (F, Undisclosed – likely to return).
Blue Jackets:
Out: Brendan Smith (D, Knee/Leg – out 3-4 months).
Day-to-Day: Kirill Marchenko (RW, Illness), Dante Fabbro (D, Lower Body).
Key Player Matchups
Connor Bedard (Blackhawks C) vs. Zach Werenski (Blue Jackets D): Bedard (recent 2G in 2 games) tests Werenski’s defense (team-leading 46 points). Bedard’s speed vs. Werenski’s shot-blocking.
Frank Nazar (Blackhawks F) vs. Charlie Coyle (Blue Jackets F): Nazar (recent first goal post-injury) vs. Coyle (hat trick in last meeting, 4G in 5 games). Coyle’s hot form challenges Nazar’s emergence.
Tyler Bertuzzi (Blackhawks LW) vs. Mathieu Olivier (Blue Jackets RW): Bertuzzi’s assists (2 in last game) vs. Olivier’s physicality (2G in last win). Bertuzzi exploits edges; Olivier disrupts.
Goaltending: Arvid Soderblom (Blackhawks) vs. Jet Greaves (Blue Jackets): Soderblom (.874 SV%) vs. Greaves (.908 SV%, recent shutout). Greaves’s form edges in low-scoring projection.
Series History
The Blackhawks lead the all-time series 59-41-2-2 (regular season). In playoffs, no meetings. Recent: Blue Jackets have won the last 6 games, including a 4-2 victory on January 30, 2026. Last 10: Blue Jackets 6-4, with an average margin of 2.9 goals. Home team is 6-4 in last 10. Over the last 5, all under the total, averaging 5.2 goals per game.
Betting Trends
ATS: Blue Jackets 9-1 ATS in last 10; Blackhawks 2-8 ATS last 10 road games; Favorites 5-5 ATS in last 10 H2H. Over/Under: Under in 6 of Blue Jackets’ last 10 home games; Under in 7 of Blackhawks’ last 10; Under in 6 of last 10 H2H. Historical: Underdogs 5-5 ATS in last 10 H2H; Home teams 6-4 SU in series.
Game Odds
Chicago Blackhawks 5.5
Columbus Blue Jackets – 148
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, February 3, 2026
