Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction NHL Picks 11/15/24

In this article we will formulate a Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Friday, November 15th 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 6-9-3 this year after they lost to Detroit in overtime by a score of 3-2. Pittsburgh was able to erase a 2-0 deficit in the second period, but they lost in overtime. The Penguins outshot Detroit by a total of 33-31, won 45.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Beauvillier and Rust, while Nedeljkovic stopped 28 out of 31 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Penguins lost to Dallas by a score of 7-1 but did beat Washington by a score of 4-2 before that. Pittsburgh has scored 2.72 goals per game and they have allowed 3.83 goals against per game, while also going 18.4% on the power play and 82.4% on the penalty kill this season. Evgeni Malkin has led Pittsburgh with five goals, 13 assists, and 45 shots on goal, while Alex Nedeljkovic is 2-3-3 with a 3.21 goals-against average and a .884 save percentage. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 5-8-2 this season after they lost to Seattle by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Columbus led 2-0 after the first period, but they allowed the last five goals in the game for the loss. The Blue Jackets outshot Seattle by a total of 40-33, won 54.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Aston-Reese and Kuraly, while Merzlikins stopped 28 out of 32 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Blue Jackets lost five straight games and scored two goals or fewer in all five. Columbus has scored 3.07 goals per game and they have allowed 3.60 goals against per game, while also going 18.4% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Marchenko has led Columbus with six goals, nine assists, and 36 shots on goal, while Elvis Merzlikins is 2-5-1 with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage this year. 

Why the Penguins will beat the Blue Jackets

• The Penguins have won 11 of their last 13 games against the Blue Jackets.
• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last four games following a road loss.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games as underdogs.
• The Penguins have covered the puck line in four of their last five games as favorites after coming off overtime.
• The Penguins have won the second period in six of their last seven games as favorites after coming off overtime.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Penguins’ last nine Friday games has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine games as underdogs following a road loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the last four games between teams from the same division has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 15 home games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 13 games at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in five of the Blue Jackets’ last six home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Sean Monahan has scored at least one goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games at Nationwide Arena.
• Cole Sillinger has recorded a point in seven of the Blue Jackets’ last eight home games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Penguins’ last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in three of the Penguins’ last four games as favorites.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins’ last six games at Nationwide Arena.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction 

Columbus comes into this game on a lengthy losing streak and they have scored two goals or fewer in all of the losses. The Blue Jackets are 4-3-0 at home, while Pittsburgh is 3-5-2 on the road this year. The Penguins haven’t been much better recently, as they have lost four of their last five games and have scored two goals or fewer in three of their last four. I don’t really trust either team to score many goals in this matchup, but I have to continue fading the Blue Jackets here. Take Pittsburgh to win.