Game Details
Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET (7:30 PM CT local time).
Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL.
TV/Streaming: CHSN (Chicago Sports Network), FDSNOH (Fox Sports Detroit/Ohio), NHL Network.
The Columbus Blue Jackets (25-20-7, 57 points, 4th in Metropolitan Division) head to the Windy City to face the Chicago Blackhawks (21-24-9, 51 points, 6th in Central Division) in a cross-conference matchup. Columbus enters as the road favorite after a strong recent showing, while Chicago looks to snap a skid amid a rebuilding season. This game marks the first meeting between the two teams this season, with Columbus riding momentum from a 5-3 home win over Philadelphia on January 28, and Chicago coming off a 3-4 shootout loss to Minnesota on January 27 followed by a likely loss to Pittsburgh on January 29 (adjusting for the user’s provided record).
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have had mixed results lately, but Columbus has trended upward with key returns from injury, while Chicago has dropped three straight (0-1-2). Here’s a summary of their last 10 games:
| Team | Last 10 Record | Goals For (Avg) | Goals Against (Avg) | Key Notes |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 5-4-1 | 3.1 | 3.3 | Won 5-3 vs. PHI (Jan 28); strong power play (2/3 in last win). Losses in high-scoring affairs like 3-5 @ VGK (Jan 8) and 0-4 @ COL (Jan 10), but rebounded with 3-2 W @ UTA (Jan 11). statmuse.com +1 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 3-5-2 | 2.4 | 3.5 | Lost 3-4 SO vs. MIN (Jan 27) and 1-5 vs. FLA (Jan 25); overtime/shootout struggles highlight defensive issues. Earlier wins included tight games like 3-2 vs. MTL (Oct 12, but early season). espn.com +1 |
Columbus’s recent form shows resilience on the road, outscoring opponents 16-12 in their last five games. Chicago has been outscored 18-9 in their last five, with poor special teams play.
Injury Report
Columbus Blue Jackets:
D Brendan Smith: Out for the season (knee surgery, IR since Dec 29; 14 games missed).
D Dante Fabbro: Questionable (lower-body injury; day-to-day, expected back around Jan 30; missed several recent games).
Notes: F Miles Wood and D Denton Mateychuk recently returned from lower- and upper-body injuries, respectively, bolstering the lineup.
Overall, the team is nearly fully healthy heading into the Olympic break.
Chicago Blackhawks:
D Shea Weber: Out for the season (ankle, IR-LT since Oct).
D Ryan Ellis: Out indefinitely (back, IR).
Notes: F Teuvo Teravainen recently returned from an upper-body injury (missed six games).
F Frank Nazar and F Nick Foligno were activated earlier in January from upper-body and other injuries.
No new injuries reported for the January 29 game vs. Pittsburgh.
Key Player Matchups
This game features intriguing battles between Columbus’s offensive defensemen and Chicago’s young forwards. Projected starting goalies: Jet Greaves (CBJ, .906 SV% career) vs. Spencer Knight (CHI, .906 SV%, 2.84 GAA).
Zach Werenski (CBJ D) vs. Connor Bedard (CHI C): Werenski leads Columbus with 19 goals and 38 assists (57 points), often quarterbacking the power play.
He’ll be tasked with shutting down Bedard (25 goals, 29 assists, 49 points), Chicago’s dynamic rookie sensation who drives their offense but can be contained by strong blue-line play.
Kirill Marchenko (CBJ RW) vs. Chicago’s Defense: Marchenko (19 goals, 25 assists) is a sniper with 12.8% shooting efficiency.
He’ll exploit Chicago’s depleted blue line (missing Weber and Ellis), testing D like Seth Jones in transition.
Tyler Bertuzzi (CHI LW) vs. Ivan Provorov (CBJ D): Bertuzzi leads Chicago with 25 goals, thriving on gritty forechecking.
Provorov, a shutdown specialist, will aim to neutralize him in the slot.
Dmitri Voronkov (CBJ LW) vs. Chicago Goalie Spencer Knight: Voronkov (17 goals) brings physicality (87 hits).
Knight, with a 53.7% quality start rate, must handle Columbus’s high shot volume (avg. 30+ S/GP recently).
Watch for special teams: Columbus’s PP (22% efficiency) could capitalize on Chicago’s 76% PK.
Series History
Chicago holds a historical edge, leading the all-time series 59-40-2-2 (including playoffs), with a 30-19-1-1 record at home.
In regular-season play, it’s similarly lopsided at 42-46-15 favoring Chicago, though recent games have been competitive—Columbus won the last meeting 5-1 on February 22, 2025.
The Blackhawks have won 13 straight in one historical streak (2011-2013), but Columbus has split the last 10 overall.
Betting Trends
Puck Line (Spread): Columbus -1.5 (+160); Chicago +1.5 (-196). Columbus is 6-4 ATS in last 10; Chicago 4-6 ATS.
Total (Over/Under): Recent trends: 7 of Columbus’s last 10 went over 6.5; Chicago’s last 5 averaged 6.8 goals.
Consensus: 65% of bets on Columbus ML; public leaning Over due to both teams’ defensive lapses.
Chicago is 5-5 in last 10 as home underdogs, while Columbus is 4-6 as road favorites this season.
Game Odds
Columbus Blue Jackets – 142
Chicago Blackhawks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 29, 2026
