The Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Friday in NHL action at the Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Blue Jackets vs Penguins Prediction. This article will include a Blue Jackets vs Penguins Pick.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Kraken, beat the Sabres, and they play the Maple Leafs next. The Penguins have lost 5 of their last 7 games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.09 goals per game and are scoring 31.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 13 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 18 assists, and Bryan Rust has 46 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.59 goals per game and are killing 85.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 29 goals on 313 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 20 goals on 233 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Maple Leafs and Capitals, and play the Devils next. The Blue Jackets have lost 4 of their last 5 games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.79 goals per game and are scoring 16.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Dmitri Voronkov leads Columbus with 9 goals, Kirill Marchenko has 14 assists and Zach Werenski has 95 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.21 goals per game and are killing 74.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 42 goals on 442 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 32 goals on 301 shots.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Penguins have lost each of their last five games following a win.
- The Blue Jackets have won 15 of their last 16 games as favorites.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in 15 of their last 18 home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games at Nationwide Arena.
- The Blue Jackets have won the second period in each of their last eight games as favorites when leading after the first period.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Penguins have won each of their last four games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blue Jackets have lost five of their last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last seven road games following a home win.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games as favorites.
- The Penguins have won the third period in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last seven games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Thirteen of the Blue Jackets’ last 14 home games after coming off overtime have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the last nine games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 14 home games against the Penguins.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last eight games at Nationwide Arena against opponents on a losing streak.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Zach Werenski has scored a goal in five of the Blue Jackets’ last six games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one point in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 23 games as favorites.
- Kirill Marchenko has recorded at least one assist in 11 of his last 12 appearances with the Blue Jackets as home favorites.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Rust has recorded an assist in eight of his last nine appearances with the Penguins as road underdogs.
- Anthony Mantha has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog against the Blue Jackets.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins’ last seven road games against the Blue Jackets.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 27th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (74.58%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 25th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.07%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 1st in the league in power play percentage this season (31.37%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 3rd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.59).
Blue Jackets vs Penguins Prediction
The Penguins continue to be hit or miss and the Blue Jackets are at home, so it’s no wonder Columbus is getting the slight edge. However, the Blue Jackets aren’t having a great week with 3 straight losses and the offense has disappeared in their last couple of games. Also, five of the last 10 games between the Blue Jackets and Penguins have made it past regulation. The games are tight when these teams meet. I want the more favorable price in my pocket on Friday night.