The Columbus Blue Jackets will play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the Blue Jackets preview, Penguins preview, betting matchup, and the Blue Jackets vs Penguins prediction.
Blue Jackets Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 21-30-10 this season after they defeated Vegas by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Columbus blew a 2-0 lead in the first period, but they scored four of the last five goals in the game for the win. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 40-33 and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Columbus defeated Chicago by a score of 5-2 in the game prior to Vegas, but lost to Carolina and the Rangers before that. The Blue Jackets are scoring 2.93 goals per game and they are allowing 3.65 goals against per game, while going 14.7% on the power play and 77% on the penalty kill. Johnny Gaudreau has led Columbus with nine goals, 34 assists, and 117 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Jet Greaves, who is 1-1-0 this year with a 2.52 goals against average and a .934 save percentage.
Penguins Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 27-24-8 this year after they lost to Edmonton by a score of 6-1 in their last game. Pittsburgh allowed the first six goals in this game, but they did score late in the third to avoid the shutout. The Penguins were out shot by a total of 37-23 and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh has also lost to Calgary and Seattle during this three game losing streak. The Penguins are scoring 2.92 goals per game and they are allowing 2.78 goals against per game, while going 14.6% on the power play and 82.2% on the penalty kill. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 32 goals, 31 assists, and 213 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Tristan Jarry, who is 17-19-4 this year with a 2.60 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts
- The Penguins have won each of their last 16 games against the Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Penguins’ last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have won the third period in each of their last five games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last 16 night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four night games at PPG Paints Arena against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in four of their last five games as underdogs following a home win.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last two games against opponents on a losing streak.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in four of the Penguins’ last five games as favorites against the Blue Jackets.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded an assist in each of the Penguins’ last seven games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Jake Guentzel has recorded at least one point in each of his last 11 appearances against the Blue Jackets.
- Marcus Pettersson ranks 2nd in the Metropolitan Division for Plus/Minus (+21) this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Cole Sillinger has scored a goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven Tuesday appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven Tuesday night appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Boone Jenner has the most multi-goal games for the Blue Jackets this season (3).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 25th in the league for goals per game this season (2.92).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 8th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.78).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 25th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (77.01%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.45).
Blue Jackets vs Penguins Betting Prediction
Pittsburgh limps into this game on a three game losing streak and they have been out scored 12-4 during the three losses. The Penguins blew a 3-1 lead in the third period against Calgary and then followed it up with a blowout loss in Edmonton on Sunday. Columbus is the worst team in the Metro so far this season and they are just 10-14-6 on the road, while Pittsburgh is 15-10-4 at home. The Penguins have been pretty decent on home ice and they should find offensive success against a Columbus team that is allowing over 3.60 goals against per game. On top of the poor defense, the Blue Jackets will be on the second game of a back to back. Take Pittsburgh -1.5 in this matchup.