Penguins vs Blue Jackets Prediction

pickdawgz.com

14 November 2023

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Pittsburgh has won four games in a row, while Columbus comes into this game on a five game losing streak.

Penguins Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 7-6-0 this season after they defeated the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Pittsburgh scored once in the first, once in the second, and twice in the third for the shutout win. The Penguins out shot Buffalo by a total of 40-35 and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh has also defeated Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Jose during this winning streak. The Pittsburgh Penguins are scoring 3.54 goals per game and they are allowing 2.62 goals against per game, while going 18.4% on the power play and 83.3% on the penalty kill. Jake Guentzel has led the Penguins this season with five goals, 11 assists, and 46 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Tristan Jarry, who is 5-5-0 this year with a 2.23 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.

Blue Jackets Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 4-7-4 this year after they lost to the New York Rangers in a shootout by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Columbus had a 3-2 lead late in the game, but New York managed to tie the game with 11 seconds left and force overtime. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 40-28 and went 0-1 on the power play in the loss. Columbus has also lost to Detroit, Dallas, Florida, and Washington during this five game losing streak. The Blue Jackets are scoring 2.73 goals per game and they are allowing 3.47 goals against per game, while going 13% on the power play and 89.1% on the penalty kill. Adam Fantilli has led the Blue Jackets this season with four goals, five assists, and 34 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who is 3-3-3 this year with a 3.15 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts

The Blue Jackets have won five of their last six games as home underdogs following a shootout loss.
The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games as home underdogs following a shootout loss.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets' last 11 home games against the Penguins.
The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in each of their last eight night games against opponents on a winning streak.

Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts

The Penguins have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a home win.
The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last four games.
The Penguins have won the third period in each of their last five night games against the Blue Jackets following a win.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Penguins' last 11 games at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

Sean Kuraly has scored a goal in each of the Blue Jackets' last three games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Patrik Laine has recorded a point in each of his last four appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents at Nationwide Arena.
Erik Gudbranson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blue Jackets' last three games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Erik Gudbranson has the equal-most multi-point games for the Blue Jackets this season (2).

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

Ryan Graves has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances against the Blue Jackets.
Jake Guentzel has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 appearances against the Blue Jackets.
Sidney Crosby has recorded an assist in five of the Penguins' last six games.
Sidney Crosby has the equal-most Power Play Goals for the Penguins this season (2).

Matchup/League Facts

The Columbus Blue Jackets ranks 26th in the league for goals per game this season (2.73).
The Columbus Blue Jackets ranks T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (1).
The Pittsburgh Penguins ranks 7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.54).
The Pittsburgh Penguins ranks 1st in the league for shots per game this season (35.0).

Pick

These two teams come into this game trending in opposite directions, but Columbus will be on home ice. The Blue Jackets have really struggled recently, allowing 19 goals in their last four games. Pittsburgh has won four games in a row and they have only allowed five goals in those four wins. The Penguins have been solid on the defensive end of the ice all season and I like that to continue in this game. Take Pittsburgh to win this game by at least two goals.