Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction, Picks and Prediction, Sunday, January 4, 2025
The Pittsburgh Penguins face the Columbus Blue Jackets with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Penguins are 18-12-9 and on the outside of the wild card in the Eastern Conference looking in while the Blue Jackets have a 17-16-6 record which is the worst in the conference. Who will win this game? Check out our Penguins vs Blue Jackets prediction!
Our NHL Predictions are sure to provide a great payout. Check them out!
This Game Was Published Before Last Night's Results
Sign Up for Winners and Whiners News Alerts, Get Exclusive Offers and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Penguins hope the offense turns the season around
The Penguins are having a rocky season and hope the offense can lead a playoff push as they are averaging 3.21 goals per game. Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust have scored 38 goals and 40 assists while defenseman Erik Karlsson has added three goals and 27 assists to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.10 goals per game. Ryan Shea and Kris Letang have combined for 5.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Arturs Silovs has been awful in his recent starts, allowing 19 goals in the last five games.
Key injury report for Penguins
- Evgeni Malkin (upper body) won’t play this weekend. Has eight goals and 21 assists.
Columbus has been let down by awful defense
The Blue Jackets are having a rough season with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.92 goals per game. Kirill Marenko and Charlie Coyle have scored 20 goals and 36 assists while defenseman Zach Werenski has 14 goals and 26 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only five skaters have eight goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has let them down, allowing 3.33 goals per game. Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov have combined for 4.8 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who has struggled all season with -9.0 goals saved above average, has been a mess in the net lately, allowing 19 goals in his last four starts.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  The Insiders Room | +1,793.00 |
| 2 |  Tony Karpinski | +1,731.00 |
| 3 |  Jesse Schule | +1,599.00 |
| 4 |  Rob Vinciletti | +1,284.00 |
| 5 |  David Delano | +1,232.00 |
Key injury report for Blue Jackets
- No key injuries to report.
Penguins vs Blue Jackets Pick
Money Line Pick For Penguins vs Blue Jackets
- Penguins (+110) (4 units)
The Blue Jackets have been a mess in recent games, and I see the Penguins stepping up on the road and taking over this one. The Penguins should create plenty of scoring chances against the Blue Jackets, who allow 3.33 goals per game, with Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Penguins should limit the Blue Jackets offense, which averages only 2.92 goals per game, with Ryan Shea and Kris Letang creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Arturs Silovs to make plenty of big saves. The Penguins should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Penguins money line as road Underdogs.
Over/Under Pick For Penguins vs Blue Jackets
- Over 6.5 (5 Units)
The two teams have awful defenses and I see this game being a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Blue Jackets should create plenty of scoring chances against the Penguins, who allow 3.10 goals per game, with Kirill Marchenko, Charlie Coyle, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Penguins, who average 3.21 goals per game, should run up the score against Elvis Merzlikins, who has allowed 19 goals in his last four starts, with Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with effective puck movement as Erik Karlsson fires shots on the net from the blue line. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
