Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will do battle against Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in a divisional tilt. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 26, and you will be able to catch the game live on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Pittsburgh (+120) is entering this one as the underdog to Columbus (-140) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -130 for the over and +110 for the under.
Netting 1.7 units for moneyline bettors, Columbus is 35-26 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, is right in line with what the team managed during last year’s regular season (45-37). Of the team’s 61 games this season, 23 have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just six have pushed. The team’s 16-15 SU at home this year.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 26th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .908 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (26 wins, 19 losses, and one OT loss) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Jackets this year. If Columbus decides to give him the evening off, however, the team might turn to Joonas Korpisalo (9-12-12 record, .896 save percentage, 3.07 goals against average).
Pittsburgh has lost 14.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 32-30 straight up (SU). Through 62 regular season outings, 30 of its games have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under the total and just five have pushed. As an away team, the Penguins are 15-16 SU.
The Penguins have scored on 24.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 17th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Casey DeSmith (.914 save percentage and 2.86 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Pittsburgh. DeSmith is averaging 27.4 saves per game and has 14 wins, 20 losses, and five OT losses to his credit.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in four of Columbus’ last five games.
- Eight of Columbus’ last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 6-2 overall in those games.
- Pittsburgh skaters have dished out the league’s most hits per game (29.6), but that number’s down to just 25.0 hits over their last five away games.
