Columbus Blue Jackets - Pittsburgh Penguins predictions and free betting tips [15/11/2023]

The Pittsburgh Penguins will face off with the Columbus Blue Jackets in a regular NHL match.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are having a tough season, with a statistic of 4-7-4 following their most recent defeat to New York Rangers in overtime with a scoreline of 3:4. In this game, Columbus led 3:2, but the Rangers managed to equalize with just 11 seconds remaining in the game and push it into overtime. The final score on shots was 40:28 in the Rangers' favour, with the Blue Jackets losing in the power-play battle. In their current five-match losing streak Columbus has also fallen to Detroit, Dallas, Florida, and Washington.

Their average team performance is 2.73 goals per game, and defensively they concede an average of 3.47 goals per game, with a 13% power-play percentage and a penalty kill percentage of 89.1%. Adam Fantilli leads the team with four goals, five assists, and 34 shots on goal. Columbus’ projected starting goalkeeper, Elvis Merzlikins, has stats of 3-3-3 with a 3.15 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

The season has been difficult for the Blue Jackets, especially on the attacking front where they average just 2.73 goals per game. Boone Jenner and Adam Fantilli have managed to net 11 goals and create 7 assists, leading the main line of the team. However, other offensive lines are also struggling. Only four players have managed to score more than four goals, allowing opponents to limit Columbus' attacking opportunities.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have turned their season around, displaying an impressive offensive average of 3.54 goals per game. In their last four matches, the team has scored 20 goals, thanks to standout performances from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jake Guentzel, who together have 20 goals and 27 assists. Bryan Rust, Reilly Smith, and Lars Eller have also contributed to the team’s success, scoring 15 goals and providing 16 assists, while defenders Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson have added 5 goals and 15 assists, bolstering the team’s attack.

Besides their strong attacking performance, the Penguins’ defense has also shown a high level of play by conceding only 2.62 goals per game. Erik Karlsson and Marcus Pettersson have contributed 2.2 defensive points and 34 blocked shots, while Kris Letang and Ryan Graves have added 1.7 defensive points, forming two reliable defensive pairs. The team's goalkeeper Tristan Jarry has a save percentage of .920 and an average of 2.23 goals against on 250 shots.

For the current season, the Penguins are 7-6-0 after a win against the Buffalo Sabres with a score of 4:0. In this game, Pittsburgh scored once in the first period, once in the second, and twice in the third, outshooting Buffalo 40:35 and scoring three times on power plays. The Penguins also have recent wins over Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Jose. Guentzel leads the team this season with 5 goals, 11 assists, and 46 shots on goal. Goalie Jarry is unquestionably Pittsburgh’s no.1.

Match Forecast for Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have a record of 7-6 and sit at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, but they've notched 4 consecutive wins. Meanwhile, the Jackets carry a 4-7-4 record, and their current losing streak of five games places them at the very bottom of the Metropolitan Division. Veteran stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will play a crucial role in the Penguins' attack, looking to penetrate the Columbus defensive zone and create scoring opportunities with their quick passes. The Penguins' defense, which concedes an average of just 2.62 goals per game, is also key, with the likes of Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang and others working to thwart the Blue Jacket attack, which averages 2.73 goals per game. I'm placing my bet on a road victory for the Penguins.