Columbus @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 16, 2019 ) Columbus 5, Chicago 2

The Columbus Blue Jackets will begin their third stretch of back-to-back games already on the young season when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. The Blue Jackets, who will host the New York Islanders on Saturday, evened their record after six contests following consecutive 3-2 wins in their last two games.

Columbus forward Sonny Milano set the hockey world abuzz with a highlight-reel goal in Wednesday's victory over Dallas, a tally that saw the 23-year-old split a pair of defenders before snapping off a between-the-legs shot that eluded Ben Bishop. "It was the best angle to get on net and it went in," Milano said of his first goal of the season. "I was thinking backhand but (decided to go) through the legs." Patrick Kane, who is no stranger to flashy goals, scored for the second time this season on Monday as Chicago secured its first win with a 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Edmonton. The former Hart Trophy recipient collected five (three goals, two assists) of his career-best 110 points last season in two games versus Columbus.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN-Plus, FS Ohio (Columbus), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (3-3-0): With two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky now in Florida, all eyes are on Joonas Korpisalo to keep Columbus afloat in the Metropolitan Division. The 25-year-old Finn has turned aside 96 of 105 shots en route to winning three of his last four starts. Defenseman Zach Werenski scored his team co-leading second goal on Monday and netted his team's lone tally in a 4-1 loss to Chicago on Oct. 20 last season.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (1-2-1): Captain Jonathan Toews notched his first point of the season on Brandon Saad's third-period goal on Monday, prompting reporters to ask if the 31-year-old is working his way out of a funk. "To say he's improved is to imply he's been bad. I don't agree," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "I think he's playing hard, and whether the points go in or not, those tend to even out. Top players find a way to produce eventually, and they all go through stretches where it doesn't go in the net for them. But I’ve got zero issues with his work ethic and compete level, and he’s going to lead the way for us." Saad has scored a goal in back-to-back contests and has a three-game point streak entering Friday's tilt versus Columbus, with which he recorded a career-high 31 goals and personal best-tying 53 points in 2015-16.

OVERTIME

1. Chicago G Corey Crawford sports a 14-4-2 record with one shutout, a 2.06 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in 20 career starts versus Columbus.

2. Blue Jackets RW Cam Atkinson, who shares the team lead with two goals, tallied in a 5-2 win over the Blackhawks on Feb. 16.

3. Chicago D Erik Gustafsson has set up a team high-best three assists this season after erupting for a career-high 43 in 2018-19.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Blackhawks 2