Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Player Props, Picks and Predictions

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 (31-30-10) are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets (23-37-12) in a clash of Metropolitan Division rivals. With the Penguins aiming to climb the conference rankings and the Blue Jackets looking to snap a 5-game losing streak, this matchup promises to be a battle of determination and resilience.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Odds Info

Moneyline: Columbus Blue Jackets +195 (Bet365) / Pittsburgh Penguins -230 (BetRivers)

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

Total: 6.5 – -105 (BetMGM) / -115 (BetMGM)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Mar. 28

Time: 06:00 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 26 losses.
As the underdog this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have 19 wins and 46 losses.
This season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have hit 37 overs and 35 unders.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends

At home this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 19 wins and 17 losses.
As the favorite this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 19 wins and 21 losses.
This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 32 overs and 39 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the course of the last two seasons, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins have faced off six times, with the Penguins dominating the series with five wins to the Blue Jackets’ single victory. The majority of the wins have gone to the home team, with four victories, while the visiting team has managed to come out on top twice. When it comes to betting statistics, the Penguins have proven to be the better bet, covering the spread in four of the six games, while the Blue Jackets have only beaten the spread twice. In terms of totals betting, the Over has hit four times, suggesting a trend towards higher-scoring games, while the Under has only been the outcome twice. Key statistics from these matchups show that the Penguins have been the favorite in each game, as indicated by their consistently lower moneyline odds. The games have been relatively high-scoring affairs, with an average total score of 7.33 goals per game across the six meetings.

The most recent encounter between the two teams took place on March 5, 2024, with the Pittsburgh Penguins securing a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Penguins, playing at home, were the favorites with a closing moneyline of -245 and a spread of -1.5, which they successfully covered. The game concluded with a total score of 8, resulting in an Over against the closing over-under line of 6.5. The Penguins managed to outperform the Blue Jackets in several statistical categories, including assists (6 to 5), points (11 to 8), and faceoffs won (38 to 29). The Blue Jackets, however, had a slight edge in shots on goal, tallying 36 compared to the Penguins’ 31. Both teams’ goaltenders were kept busy, with the Penguins’ Tristan Jarry making 33 saves for a save percentage of 0.917, while the Blue Jackets’ Jet Greaves saved 26 out of 31 shots for a save percentage of 0.839.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Predictions

The Penguins, currently on a 1-game winning streak, are looking to capitalize on their home-ice advantage at PPG Paints Arena. Sidney Crosby continues to be the linchpin for Pittsburgh, leading the team with 35 goals and 76 points. The Penguins’ offense has been a bright spot, averaging 4.00 goals per game over the past seven games, but they’ll need to tighten up defensively against a Blue Jackets team that has struggled but can be unpredictable.

Columbus enters the game at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but with players like Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, who lead the team in goals and points respectively, they have the potential to challenge the Penguins’ defense. The Blue Jackets will need to improve their special teams play, as they currently rank 25th in penalty kill and 29th in power play efficiency. A strong performance in these areas could be key to overcoming the Penguins.

This game will also feature a goaltending duel worth watching, with Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry posting a solid .922 save percentage against Columbus in his career. The Blue Jackets’ goaltending has been less consistent, which could be a deciding factor in the game. As both teams prepare for the faceoff, it will be interesting to see which team can assert their style of play and take control of the game early on.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Pick

Despite the Pittsburgh Penguins being the favorites and having a strong historical advantage over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the value lies in the underdog’s moneyline bet. The Blue Jackets have struggled this season, but they have shown flashes of potential with players like Johnny Gaudreau leading the charge. With the Penguins’ inconsistent defense and the Blue Jackets’ ability to surprise, the potential for an upset is present. Additionally, the Blue Jackets’ recent performances have not been reflective of their potential, and a turnaround could be sparked by the motivation to snap their losing streak.

Considering the odds, a bet on the Blue Jackets’ moneyline offers a higher potential payout for the risk involved. The Penguins may be on a winning streak, but their position in the conference and recent trends suggest vulnerability. With the Blue Jackets’ desperation to end their losing streak and the Penguins’ defensive lapses, Columbus has a fighting chance to steal a win on the road. The historical head-to-head may favor Pittsburgh, but the current dynamics and odds present a compelling case for a Columbus victory in this matchup.

The Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets +195 (Bet365)

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.