| MATCHUP | Pittsburgh Penguins | Columbus Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 |
| Spread | +1.5 -250 | -1.5 205 |
| Moneyline | +102 | -122 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115) |
| Where | Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH | |
| When | Friday, October 9, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Friday, October 9th 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 2-2-0 this season after they lost to the Capitals by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Pittsburgh cut the deficit to 4-3 late in the second period, but couldn’t score in the third in the loss. The Penguins out shot Washington by a total of 30-27, won 41.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh was led by Bryan Rust, who had one goal and three shots, while Arturs Silovs stopped 22 out of 27 shots, which was an .815 save percentage in the game.
Prior to that loss, Pittsburgh lost to the Jets by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Canadiens by a score of 6-5 before that. The Penguins have scored 4.50 goals per game and they have allowed 3.25 goals against per game, while also going 30.8% on the power play and 90.0% on the penalty kill this season. Tommy Novak has led the team with three goals and two assists, while Arturs Silovs is 2-1-0 with a 3.38 goals against average and an .859 save percentage this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 1-1-0 this year after they lost to the Mammoth by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Columbus cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second period, but they allowed two goals in the third to seal the loss. The Blue Jackets were out shot by a total of 31-19, won 56.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Columbus was led by Kent Johnson, who had one goal and five shots, while Jet Greaves stopped 27 out of 31 shots, which was an .871 save percentage in the loss.
Prior to that game, Columbus defeated the Sabres by a score of 6-3 in their season opener. The Blue Jackets have scored 3.50 goals per game and they have allowed 3.50 goals against per game, while also going 40.0% on the power play and 66.7% on the penalty kill this season. Matthew Knies has led the team with two goals and two assists, while Jet Greaves is 1-1-0 with a 3.50 goals against average and an .877 save percentage this year.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last four games at Nationwide Arena when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Penguins have lost each of their last three away games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Blue Jackets have won the second period in five of their last six home games when trailing after the first period.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Blue Jackets have lost seven of their last eight games as favorites.
- The underdogs have won seven of the last eight games between the Penguins and Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 11 games as home favorites following a loss.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against the Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in each of their last four games as favorites following a loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the last seven night games between the Penguins and Blue Jackets have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Penguins’ last four games against the Blue Jackets following a road loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the last 16 games between the Penguins and Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 10 games following a road loss.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Zach Werenski has scored a goal in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games against the Penguins at Nationwide Arena.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents at Nationwide Arena.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in four of the Penguins’ last five games against the Blue Jackets.
- Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in six of the Penguins’ last seven road games against the Blue Jackets.
Penguins vs Blue Jackets Prediction
Pittsburgh comes into this matchup on a two game losing streak and they have allowed five goals in two of their last three. The Penguins are 1-1-0 on the road this year, while the Blue Jackets are 1-1-0 at home. Columbus has only played two games so far, but they have struggled on the penalty kill. Neither team has me too excited here, but I will side with the Blue Jackets at home.