NHL January 30, 2026

Columbus rolls into the United Center riding a three-game winning streak and looking like a team that has finally figured something out. The Blue Jackets have been one of the pleasant surprises of the second half, and their balanced attack has been the driving force behind their recent surge. Zach Werenski has been absolutely sensational from the blue line, leading the entire team with 50 points (17 goals, 33 assists) and playing some of the best hockey of his career. When your defenseman is leading your team in scoring, you know something special is happening.

Chicago, meanwhile, is still searching for answers after that embarrassing 6-2 loss to Pittsburgh in their last outing. The Blackhawks have been wildly inconsistent this season, flashing potential some nights and looking completely overmatched on others. The good news for Chicago is their penalty kill, which sits at an elite 85.5% and ranks first in the entire NHL. That's a remarkable stat for a team that has struggled defensively in even-strength situations. Tyler Bertuzzi leads the attack with 22 goals, providing the veteran presence this young roster desperately needs. However, the Blackhawks are playing without Connor Bedard, who has been sidelined since December 12. Bedard's 19 goals in limited action showed his star potential, and his absence has been felt throughout the lineup.

The goaltending matchup is intriguing. Jet Greaves has emerged as Columbus's starter, posting a 13-12-6 record with a 2.71 GAA and .908 save percentage. Those numbers won't blow anyone away, but Greaves has been steady enough to keep the Blue Jackets competitive on most nights. Chicago's netminding situation has been more volatile, and whoever gets the call will need to be sharp against a Columbus team that has been generating quality chances consistently during their winning streak.

The 6.5 total is one of the higher marks we've seen this season, and it reflects the defensive vulnerabilities both teams possess. Columbus has been scoring at a decent clip during their hot streak, while Chicago's defensive structure has been leaky at best. The Blue Jackets come in as -142 road favorites, which tells you everything about where these two franchises stand right now. Columbus is trending up while Chicago continues to work through a painful rebuild. Expect the Blue Jackets to control pace of play and capitalize on Chicago's defensive lapses in what should be an entertaining, high-scoring affair at the United Center.