In this article we will formulate a Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets betting prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, March 30th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:
- The Penguins recent form and recent player performance
- The Blue Jackets recent form and recent play performance
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Pittsburgh
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Columbus
- Recent betting trends in games played between Pittsburgh and Columbus
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between Pittsburgh and Columbus
Penguins Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 32-30-10 this year after they defeated Columbus by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 2-1 in the second period, but they got goals from Malkin and O’Connor for the win. The Penguins recorded 36 shots on goal and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh defeated Carolina by a score of 4-1 in the game prior to Columbus, but did lose to Colorado, Dallas, and New Jersey before that. The Penguins are scoring 2.92 goals per game and they are allowing 2.97 goals against per game, while going 14.9% on the power play and 81.1% on the penalty kill. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 35 goals, 43 assists, and 250 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Tristan Jarry, who is 19-24-5 this year with a 2.90 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.
Blue Jackets Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 23-38-12 this season after they lost to Pittsburgh. Columbus led 2-1 in the second period after getting goals from Olivier and Sillinger, but they allowed the last two goals for the loss. The Blue Jackets recorded 19 shots on goal and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Columbus has lost six games in a row and nine of their last ten, with the lone win coming against Edmonton. The Blue Jackets are scoring 2.84 goals per game and they are allowing 3.66 goals against per game, while going 14.9% on the power play and 76.1% on the penalty kill. Johnny Gaudreau has led Columbus with 11 goals, 43 assists, and 140 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who is 12-17-8 this season with a 3.47 goals against average and an .897 save percentage.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The favorites have won each of the Blue Jackets’ last 10 games.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in five of their last six games against the Penguins following a road loss.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in each of their last five games following a road loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the last 12 games between the Penguins and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts
- The Penguins have won each of their last seven games against the Blue Jackets following a win.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as favorites following a win.
- The Penguins have won the third period in each of their last seven games against the Blue Jackets following a win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 12 games at Nationwide Arena.
Penguins vs Blue Jackets Betting Prediction
These two teams are at the bottom of the Metropolitan standings, but Pittsburgh is 16 points better than the Blue Jackets. Pittsburgh just beat Columbus by a score of 3-2 on Thursday, but they are only 12-17-6 on the road. Columbus has been one of the worst teams in the NHL over the last few weeks and they have scored two goals or fewer in four straight games. The Penguins haven’t been very good since the trade deadline, but they have won two games in a row and have allowed a total of three goals in those two games. I like Pittsburgh to get another win here, but I am going to take the under in this matchup, as both teams struggle to score consistently. Take the under in this game.