Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Tuesday, Mar. 05

Nov 24, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Prudential Center.
Image Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

We have your Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Columbus Blue Jackets hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (27-24-8) are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets (21-30-10) in a Metropolitan Division clash. With both teams looking to improve their standings late in the season, this matchup promises to be a battle of wills on the ice.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds Info

Moneyline: Columbus Blue Jackets +195 (BetRivers) / Pittsburgh Penguins -225 (BetMGM)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Columbus Blue Jackets -120 (PointsBet) / Pittsburgh Penguins +105 (BetMGM)

Total: 6.5 – -105 (BetMGM) / -109 (BetRivers)

Game Info

Date: Tuesday, Mar. 05

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ESPN+

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends

  • On the road this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have 10 wins and 20 losses.
  • As the underdog this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have 18 wins and 37 losses.
  • This season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have hit 32 overs and 29 unders.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends

  • At home this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 15 wins and 14 losses.
  • As the favorite this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 16 wins and 19 losses.
  • This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 24 overs and 35 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the course of the last two seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets have faced off five times, with the Penguins emerging victorious in four of those encounters. The games, spanning from October 22, 2022, to November 14, 2023, have seen a fairly even distribution of home and away wins, with the home team securing three wins and the visiting team taking two. When it comes to betting statistics, the Penguins have managed to cover the spread in three games, while the Blue Jackets have done so in two. The over/under betting results have leaned slightly towards the ‘Over’, with it hitting three times compared to the ‘Under’ which occurred twice. Key statistics from these matchups reveal that the Penguins have shown a strong offensive presence, outscoring the Blue Jackets with a total of 22 goals to Columbus’s 14 across all five games. The Penguins have also demonstrated a higher win percentage in the 2023-2024 season leading up to the most recent game, with a 57.1429% win rate compared to the Blue Jackets’ 25%. Additionally, the Penguins have been more effective in faceoffs, winning 51.9% to the Blue Jackets’ 48.1% in their last meeting.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on November 14, 2023, where the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets with a final score of 5-3. In this game, Sidney Crosby stood out by completing a hat trick, contributing significantly to the Penguins’ victory. The Penguins displayed a strong defensive game, blocking a total of 9 shots, while the Blue Jackets blocked 22. Despite the disparity in blocked shots, the Penguins managed to maintain control of the puck, winning the majority of faceoffs with a 51.9% success rate. The Penguins’ Tristan Jarry and the Blue Jackets’ Elvis Merzlikins were the goaltenders, with Jarry saving 27 out of 30 shots and Merzlikins saving 36 out of 40. The Penguins entered the game as the favorites with a closing moneyline of -172, and they managed to cover the spread of 1.5, while the game itself went ‘Over’ the set line of 6.5 with a total score of 8.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Predictions

The Penguins are entering this game on a three-game losing streak, which has put a dent in their playoff aspirations. Despite their recent struggles, Pittsburgh’s offense is led by the ever-reliable Sidney Crosby, who tops the team with 32 goals and 63 points. The Penguins will be looking to their captain to spark their offense and get back to winning ways. Defensively, they’ve been middle-of-the-pack, but will need to tighten up against a Blue Jackets team that’s coming off a morale-boosting win against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Columbus, despite sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, has shown signs of life with a two-game winning streak, including an impressive victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Forward Boone Jenner leads the team with 19 goals, while Johnny Gaudreau has been the primary playmaker with 35 assists. The Blue Jackets will rely on their top scorers to challenge the Penguins’ defense and goaltending, which has shown vulnerability during their recent skid.

This game could come down to key player matchups and special teams performance. The Penguins have the advantage in faceoff win percentage and power play efficiency, which could be decisive factors. However, the Blue Jackets have been successful against the spread in recent games and will look to continue that trend. With both teams eager to claim crucial points, expect a competitive and intense matchup at PPG Paints Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Pick

Given the current form of both teams and the odds presented, the Columbus Blue Jackets moneyline bet offers significant value. The Blue Jackets are on a two-game winning streak, including a victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, showcasing their ability to compete against strong opponents. With the Penguins on a three-game losing streak and showing defensive vulnerabilities, the momentum is in favor of the Blue Jackets. Additionally, Columbus has been successful against the spread in recent games, indicating a trend of outperforming expectations, which could very well continue in this matchup.

Historically, while the Penguins have had the upper hand in head-to-head matchups, the Blue Jackets’ recent form suggests a potential upset. The Penguins may have a higher win percentage this season and a better faceoff win rate, but the Blue Jackets’ recent performances, combined with the high stakes of this late-season game, position them as a strong contender for the win. Considering the attractive odds for a Columbus victory and their current upward trajectory, the smart pick is to bet on the Blue Jackets’ moneyline.

The Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets +195 (BetRivers)

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Jack Roslovic Shots On Goal 1.5 10/10 -190 +145 3.6 3.60
Jack Roslovic Points 0.5 7/10 +130 -166 1.0 1.01
Boone Jenner Shots On Goal 2.5 7/10 -130 +100 3.4 3.45
Yegor Chinakhov Shots On Goal 1.5 7/10 -166 +130 2.4 2.47
Boone Jenner Points 0.5 7/10 -115 -115 0.9 0.88