Penguins vs Blue Jackets Prediction 1/17/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 17th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 22-14-10 this season after they defeated Philadelphia by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Pittsburgh scored six of the first seven goals in the game and they were able to cruise to the easy win in the third. The Penguins were out shot by a total of 33-30, won 52.8% of the face-offs, and went 3-4 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Brazeau, Chinakhov, Crosby, Dewar, Lizotte, and Rust, while Skinner stopped 30 out of 33 shots, which was a .909 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Pittsburgh lost to the Lightning by a score of 2-1 and the Bruins by a score of 1-0. The Penguins have lost three of their last four games and they are currently third in the Metro standings with 54 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.17 goals per game and they have allowed 2.91 goals against per game, while also going 29.4% on the power play and 83.2% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 25 goals and 26 assists, while Bryan Rust has added 17 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Stuart Skinner, who is 4-4-0 with a 2.42 goals against average and a .901 save percentage for the Penguins this season. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 21-19-7 this year after they defeated Vancouver by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Columbus had their lead cut to 3-1 in the second period, but they scored the only goal in the third to pull away with the win. The Blue Jackets out shot Vancouver by a total of 36-31, won 47.1% of the face-offs, and went 2-2 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Coyle, Johnson, Marchenko, and Werenski, while Merzlikins stopped 30 out of 31 shots, which was a .968 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Columbus defeated the Flames by a score of 5-3 and the Mammoth by a score of 3-2. The Blue Jackets have won three games in a row and they are currently seventh in the Metro standings with 49 points. Columbus has scored 2.98 goals per game and they have allowed 3.32 goals against per game, while also going 20.3% on the power play and 74.2% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 18 goals and 33 assists, while Kirill Marchenko has added 17 goals and 23 assists. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Jet Greaves, who is 14-12-6 with a 2.72 goals against average and a .908 save percentage this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win

• The Blue Jackets have lost 12 of their last 13 games at PPG Paints Arena following a win.
• The Penguins have won each of their last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Penguins have won the third period in seven of their last eight games against the Blue Jackets following a home win.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the last seven games between the Blue Jackets and Penguins have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Blue Jackets’ last five games against the Penguins following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the last three games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last seven games following a home win.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the last seven games between the Blue Jackets and Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Penguins’ last nine games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Bryan Rust has scored at least one goal in each of the Penguins’ last four games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Charlie Coyle has scored at least one goal in each of the Blue Jackets’ last three games.
• Adam Fantilli has recorded an assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four night games.

Penguins vs Blue Jackets Prediction 

Columbus comes into this matchup on a three game winning streak and they have scored 12 goals during that span. The Blue Jackets are 10-12-3 on the road this year, while the Penguins are 11-7-6 at home this year. Pittsburgh has lost three of their last four games and they have scored one goal or fewer in each of those three losses. The Penguins have been very strong defensively this season and should be fine against the Columbus offense that has beaten up on some bad teams. Take Pittsburgh at home.