NHL Best Bets for Friday, January 30: Back-to-Back Chaos
Summary
The Columbus Blue Jackets are on a three-game winning streak, playing a high-scoring style that masks defensive flaws. They face a struggling Chicago Blackhawks team on a four-game losing streak and playing the second night of a back-to-back, which could lead to tired defensive play. Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been inconsistent, while Chicago’s offense remains dangerous through Connor Bedard.
This combination suggests a high-scoring game, with a predicted outcome like 4-3. The primary recommendation is for the total goals to exceed 6.5. Key player props include Connor Bedard and Kirill Marchenko each exceeding their shots on goal targets, as both are central, high-volume shooters for their respective teams in this favorable matchup.
Columbus rolls into Chicago riding three straight wins and playing the kind of run-and-gun hockey that covers up defensive issues with firepower. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are in free fall—four straight losses, getting hammered with shot volume, and now facing a back-to-back with tired legs.
Columbus should control most of the play, but here’s the problem: Elvis Merzlikins has been shaky all season, and Chicago’s offense still runs through Connor Bedard even when they’re losing. Let’s get into the best bets for this 1 game slate.
Quick Picks Card
NHL Best Bets for Thursday, January 30
Odds via BetOnline (at time of writing)
- Best Bet: Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks Over 6.5 (+104)
Props
- Connor Bedard Shots on Goal Over
- Kirill Marchenko Shots on Goal Over
Blue Jackets @ Blackhawks – Over 6.5 (+104)
Columbus wins by outscoring its problems, and Chicago’s tired and bleeding shots lately. Add in Merzlikins—who’s always good for one soft goal—and this sets up like a 4–3 game with plenty of chaos potential.
Why I’m on it:
- Columbus games have been track meets lately (8–5, 5–3 recent scores)—they’re playing run-and-gun hockey and winning by generating more offense than their defense gives up.
- Merzlikins’ numbers this season are ugly, and one soft goal early can blow the game wide open fast, especially against a Chicago team that’s still dangerous offensively even when losing.
- Chicago is on a back-to-back after just giving up 44 shots in their last game—tired teams defend worse, especially in the third period when odd-man rushes, and lazy penalties pile up.
- Columbus should control most of the play and generate plenty of volume, but their defense is far from airtight—so if Chicago falls behind early, the live bet on them as well has legs.
The expected game script is something like 4–3 Columbus, with fatigue showing up late for the Hawks and goals coming from both sides because neither team locks it down defensively.
What could burn me: If Chicago’s offense goes completely silent, or if this turns into a low-event grind that neither team’s recent form suggests is coming.
Player Props
Connor Bedard Shots on Goal Over: Chicago’s offense runs through Bedard even when they’re losing—he’s one of the few guys with the green light to fire regardless of game script. On the second half of a back-to-back where the Hawks will likely be chasing, Bedard should log heavy minutes. He’s struggled to hit the scoresheet since returning, but the shot volume hasn’t gone anywhere.
Kirill Marchenko Shots on Goal Over: Columbus should control more of the game, and Marchenko is a high-volume shooter when they’re in attack mode. With Chicago’s defense giving up tons of looks lately and fatigue likely creeping in late, Marchenko should get clean looks all night.
