The Columbus Blue Jackets face the Chicago Blackhawks with both teams looking to improve from rough starts to the season. The Blue Jackets have a 10-20-2 record and with five losses in a row, are in last place in the Metropolitan Division. The Blackhawks have a 7-20-4 record and with an eight-game losing streak, are in last place in the Central Division. Both teams are looking to improve in their divisions and head into the break on a high note and the upcoming game looks to be a good one as a result.
The Blue Jackets are having a rough season with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.72 goals per game. While Johnny Gaudreau, Kent Johnson, and Patrik Laine have scored 27 goals and 39 assists to lead the top two lines, the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five skaters have seven goals or more while only five active skaters have eight assists or more and opposing defenses can eliminate the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let the Blue Jackets down this year, allowing 4.03 goals per game including 19 goals in the last five games. Vladislav Gavrikov and Andrew Peeke have combined for 2.2 defensive point shares and 127 blocked shots but the rest of the offense has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Daniil Tarasov has struggled in the net with a .913 save percentage and a 3.13 goals- against average on 355 shots.