Penguins vs Blue Jackets Prediction 1/4/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, January 4th at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 19-12-9 this season after they defeated Detroit by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Pittsburgh had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they scored two empty net goals in the third to seal the victory. The Penguins out shot Detroit by a total of 31-12, won 54.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Chinakhov, Dewar, Rakell, and Rust, while Skinner stopped 11 out of 12 shots, which was a .917 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Pittsburgh defeated the Red Wings once again by a score of 4-3 and the Hurricanes by a score of 5-1. The Penguins have won four games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Metro standings with 47 points. Pittsburgh has scored 3.21 goals per game and they have allowed 3.10 goals against per game, while also going 30.2% on the power play and 81.2% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 23 goals and 22 assists, while Bryan Rust has added 16 goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Arturs Silovs, who is 7-5-6 with a 3.20 goals against average and an .888 save percentage this season. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 18-16-6 this year after they defeated Buffalo by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Columbus was tied at one in the first period, but they scored the last four goals to pull away with the win. The Blue Jackets out shot Buffalo by a total of 35-33, won 47.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Gaunce, Olivier, Sillinger, Voronkov, and Mateychuk, while Greaves stopped 32 out of 33 shots, which was a .970 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Columbus lost to the Devils by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Senators by a score of 4-1 before that. The Blue Jackets have won four of their last five games and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 42 points. Columbus has scored 2.92 goals per game and they have allowed 3.33 goals against per game, while also going 18.6% on the power play and 75.0% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 14 goals and 28 assists, while Kirill Marchenko has added 14 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who is 6-6-1 with a 4.04 goals against average and an .877 save percentage this year. 

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The Penguins have lost 11 of their last 12 games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Blue Jackets have won each of their last six games as home favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 day games.
• The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have won the first period in five of their last six home games.

Total Goals Facts

• Eight of the last nine games between the Penguins and Blue Jackets have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Penguins’ last four games as road underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Three of the last four games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the last 15 games between the Penguins and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Zach Werenski has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with the Blue Jackets as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 23 of his last 25 appearances with the Blue Jackets as home favorites.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in five of the Penguins’ last six games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Kris Letang has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances at Nationwide Arena.
• Sidney Crosby has scored the first goal in four of the Penguins’ last five games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Penguins vs Blue Jackets Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup on a four game winning streak and they have scored a total of 20 goals during that span. The Penguins are 10-6-4 on the road this year, while the Blue Jackets are 9-7-3 at home. Columbus has won four of their last five games and they have allowed two goals or fewer in all four of those wins. This should be a pretty good game between two teams that are playing well, but I think Columbus has the clear defensive advantage over the last two weeks. Take the Blue Jackets here.

David Racey's Pick: Blue Jackets ML