Pittsburgh may have dropped the last game in Columbus but don’t fret – this series is breathing its last breath. The Penguins were one of the best home teams in the league all season, dropping just 10 games at the PPG Paints Arena, and they’ve scored a total of seven goals while allowing just two in their home contests with the Blue Jackets this series.
- The favored team is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games in this matchup.
- The visiting team is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games in this matchup and 1-4 on the puckline in the last 5.
- Jake Guentzel leads all players with 5 goals on 15 shots this postseason.
Matt Murray’s status is still up in the air for Thursday night’s game but with the series largely handled, it’s likely the Pens roll with Marc-Andre Fleury in this one even if Murray is ready to go. Flower has played decently this series, posting a .923 save percentage to go along with a 2.64 goals-against average and if the trend continues that’s seen the Pens average almost four goals a game in Pittsburgh over their last 43 games there, it’ll be OK if the two-time Stanley Cup Sportsbook lets a couple of weak ones in.
Speaking of goalies, the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 netminder and the probable Vezina Trophy Sportsbook has been awful. He has an .891 save percentage this series and that’s been his M.O. since joining the league in 2010. Officer Bob has a career .890 save percentage in the playoffs and the Jackets have never allowed fewer than three goals in their 14 franchise games in the postseason.
For all these reasons and many more, I like this game — that’s likely going to be a track meet — to go OVER its 5.5-goal total, possibly easily.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Columbus Blue Jackets were listed as 184 underdogs on the NHL hockey moneyline earlier at Sportsbook. The over under total was set at 5.5 before betting started earlier on Thursday at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark score prediction models pick a 3.8-1.8 result in favor of the Penguins today. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 51-26-9 this season, while the Penguins are 53-22-11. Columbus is 34-46-6 against the total, while Pittsburgh is 49-32-5 versus the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Columbus injuries news.
The Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings have the Pittsburgh Penguins at No. 5 and the Columbus Blue Jackets at No. 26 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Pittsburgh Penguins No. 1-ranked offense (3.47 goals per game) against a Columbus Blue Jackets defense that ranks No. 5 at 2.45 goals per game allowed. The Penguins Sportsbook has clicked at a 23.25% rate while the Blue Jackets have a 82.55% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Columbus is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
- Columbus is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games
- Columbus is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Columbus is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Columbus home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, April 23rd
