Pittsburgh Penguins at Columbus Blue Jackets Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions

The NHL betting lines for this game have the Pittsburgh Penguins as the big road favorites at -240 over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Penguins Great on Special Teams

The Penguins are averaging 3.2 goals per game while also holding opponents to just 2.6 goals on the other end. Pittsburgh can win games in a variety of different ways, and it was a great defensive effort that let them pick up a 1-0 win in their most recent game.

Pittsburgh forward Jeff Carter noted the great defense of his team on Saturday, saying, “Obviously our defensive game hasn’t been up to par lately … it’s something we’ve talked about the last few days and I thought everyone came in with the mindset to check first and create our chances off that.”

Goaltender Tristan Jarry has gone 26-11-6 so far this season and he could play a key role in this matchup. Jake Guentzel has paced the Penguins on offense as he leads the team with 25 goals and 52 total points.

Blue Jackets Has to Control Tempo

If Columbus is going to win this game then they have to find a way to slow this game down and get it under control. The Blue Jackets are scoring over 3.2 goals per game, but they are also giving up over 3.6 goals per night.

Columbus is led on offense by Boone Jenner as he has scored 22 goals and racked up 41 points on the year. The Blue Jackets actually struggle on the power play, but they have so many offensive weapons up and down the lineup.

The Blue Jackets have been scoring goals like crazy over the last two weeks, but were shutout in their most recent game. Look for Columbus to bounce back in a big way on offense, but slowing down the Penguins will be a key as well.

Columbus is comfortable playing in an up and down style game, but that strategy won’t work well against Pittsburgh.

Penguins vs Blue Jackets Head-to-Head

This is just the second meeting of the season between Pittsburgh and Columbus, despite the fact that both teams play in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh came away with a 5-2 win in the first meeting, and that will have Columbus looking for some revenge.

Penguins vs Blue Jackets Game Information

Game: Penguins (32-14-8) vs Blue Jackets (27-24-1)

Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

Day/Time: Sunday, February 27, 6 p.m. ET

Television: ESPN+

Penguins vs Blue Jackets Betting Lines

Penguins vs Blue Jackets Prediction

This is a game that features teams who can score and that will make betting online pretty interesting for this matchup. Pittsburgh has been the much better team all season long, but the Blue Jackets have started to figure some things out.

Getting stops has been a challenge for Columbus throughout the year, but they have the offense to make up for it. Don’t be surprised to see the Blue Jackets play right with the Penguins in this game, and a late goal will allow them to pull off the upset at home.

Take the upset in this game at BetUS Sportsbook and back the Columbus Blue Jackets +195 over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets +195