Overview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in Columbus tonight where they take on the Blue Jackets. The Penguins haven’t had much luck versus the Blue Jackets of late losing 5 of the last 7 meetings although they did win 10 of the previous 12 meetings before that.
Head to Head Trends
Penguins are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 21-9 in the last 30 meetings.
Columbus Blue Jackets (+135)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are last in the Metropolitan Division with 64 points 39 points out of 1st place and 12 points out of the final playoff spot so they’re pretty much out of it this season. If the Blue Jackets could stop getting off to such bad starts they would have a good shot at making the playoffs.
Almost every season they start the season absolutely horrible and don’t start playing good hockey till it’s too late. This season is no different they started the season 0-8 and here it is late in the season and they’re playing their best hockey winning 11 of their last 18 games.
The Blue Jackets have a slightly below average offense scoring just 2.58 goals per game but they have been playing much better of late averaging 2.90 goals per game over their last 10 games. As for defense like most bad teams they do tend to struggle on defense allowing over 3 goals per game so it’s hard to consistently win games like that.
Columbus Blue Jackets Trends
Blue Jackets are 1-7 in their last 8 vs. Metropolitan.
Blue Jackets are 20-8 in their last 28 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Pittsburgh Penguins (-145)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 4th in the Metropolitan Division with 76 points 27 points back of the 1st place Washington Capitals but more important they are currently occupying the final playoff spot in the East just 3 points ahead of the Flyers and Hurricanes so they really need to take advantage of theses game versus weaker teams.
The Penguins have a solid offense averaging 2.70 goals per game and they also have a solid defense allowing 2.48 goals per game so with numbers like those they should comfortably be in a playoff position already but things just haven’t really work out for the Penguins this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins Trends
Penguins are 9-1 in their last 10 vs. a team with a losing record.
Penguins are 14-29 in their last 43 vs. Metropolitan.
Conclusion
I’m going with the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Blue Jackets in this one. Even though the Blue Jackets are playing well right now I just think these are games the Penguins have to win and with their talent level I think they can get it done.
Free Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -145 at BetOnline
