The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to rebound vs the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. The Pens dropped a tough home loss to the Capitals on Sunday and it won’t get any easier against the surging Blue Jackets, who are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games in their barn and 13-2 SU in their last 15 games overall. Columbus opened as a slight fave to continue its winning ways and leap the Penguins in the Eastern Conference standings.
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of the Penguins’ last 11 games on the road.
- The Penguins are 6-0 SU in their last six games after a loss.
- The Blue Jackets are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games with one day off between games.
The Blue Jackets have been the hottest team in the NHL since the beginning of March and were on the outside looking in for the postseason before reeling off 10 straight wins. Columbus’s defense has been brilliant since the all-star break, allowing only 2.68 goals per game (ranked eighth in the NHL) while averaging 3.39 goals per game (ranked sixth in the NHL) in that same span. If bettors are planning to back the Jackets, they should know Columbus is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games as a favorite and has claimed victory in six of its last nine games when hosting Pittsburgh.
As for the Pens, the offense can explode any time for this squad but the defense was awful in March, allowing 3.5 goals per game, which ranked 25th in the league. With Pittsburgh’s plethora of talent up front, the Penguins can never be counted out but it’s a disturbing trend to see for the defending Stanley Cup champions going into the postseason. That being said, the Pens have been the profitable pick vs the Jackets lately, winning eight of the last nine games in this matchup and outscoring their division rival 37-21 in those contests.
The total opened at 5.5 and the OVER should be on totals bettors’ radars. Both of these teams have been scoring goals in bunches lately and the OVER has hit in five of the last six games when these squads collide, with an average combined score of 7.6 goals per game.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're backing the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins in this one, they were listed earlier today as underdogs of +113 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Those OVER/UNDER total betting saw the number open in the area of 5.5, depending on the book.
OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 4.1-1.6 victory for the Blue Jackets. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to vanquish their hosts on Thursday, as they are 45-29-6 this season, while the Blue Jackets are 45-29-6. Pittsburgh is 46-32-2 against the total, while Columbus is 39-41 versus the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Columbus vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show the Blue Jackets rated this week at No. 6 and the Penguins sitting at No. 4.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Columbus's No. 16-ranked offense, averaging 2.95 goals per game, against a Pittsburgh defense that ranks No. 20 at 3.08 goals allowed. The Blue Jackets power play is averaging 16.89% while the Penguins defense kills off 79.84% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for Pittsburgh, they were a 3-1 loser as they battled the Capitals at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Capitals at +114 were rewarded, while the 4 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
The Blue Jackets were a 5-4 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Red Wings. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Columbus at -235 on the moneyline, while the total score (9) was good news for OVER bettors.
- Pittsburgh is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games
- Pittsburgh is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- Columbus is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games
- Columbus is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
- Columbus is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh home to Ottawa, Friday, April 6
Columbus at Nashville, Saturday, April 7
