Blue Jackets vs Penguins Picks and Prediction – 3/21/2025

The Columbus Blue Jackets complete a back-to-back on Friday when visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins after playing at home on Thursday night versus the Florida Panthers. Columbus is 31-28-8 with 70 points and three points behind the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 15 games remaining. Columbus has lost four straight and six of the last seven after falling to New Jersey 2-1 on Monday. Keep up to date with all the NHL action, with our expert NHL picks.

Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus in goals with 25. Zach Werenski is the leader in assists with 49 and points with 69. In goal, Elvis Merzlikins is 22-18-4 with a goals-against average of 3.04, a save percentage of .896, and one shutout. Columbus has a goals-for average of 3.19 and a goals-against of 3.31. Columbus’ power play is 23rd in the NHL and its penalty kill is 25th.

The Pittsburgh Penguins look to bounce back from a loss with a victory at home on Friday when hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pittsburgh is 28-32-10 with 66 points and seven points behind the second and final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Pittsburgh lost to the New York Islanders 4-2 on Tuesday night which snapped a four-game winning streak for the Penguins.

Rickard Rakell leads Pittsburgh with 31 goals. Sidney Crosby is the leader in assists with 50 and points with 74. In goal, Tristan Jarry is 12-9-4 with a goals-against average of 3.13 and a save percentage of .895. Pittsburgh has a goals-for average of 2.90 and a goals-against of 3.56. Pittsburgh's power play is 10th in the NHL and its penalty kill is 19th.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will pick up a victory at home on Friday when hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus will be playing the back half of a back-to-back, while Pittsburgh has not played since Tuesday. The Penguins have won five of the last six, while Columbus has struggled of late, losing six of the last seven and the Blue Jackets have lost five of the last six to Eastern Conference opponents. Final Score Prediction, Pittsburgh Penguins win 4-2.