Penguins vs Blue Jackets Picks and Prediction – 11/16/2024

The Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting at 6-9-3, take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are 5-8-2, at Nationwide Arena. The Penguins are coming off a narrow 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, while Columbus suffered a 5-2 defeat to Seattle. Both teams aim to turn around recent struggles in this divisional showdown. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

Pittsburgh's offense has been led by veterans like Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, with Malkin scoring five goals and Crosby leading in assists with 11. They have scored 49 goals this season, ranking 14th in the league, but consistency has been an issue, particularly with a 27th-ranked shooting percentage at .086. The power play has also been underwhelming at 18.4%, placing them 18th, and the Penguins will need to elevate finishing to break through the Blue Jackets' defense. The Penguins face some setbacks, with Blake Lizotte and Cody Glass out, potentially impacting depth.

Defensively, Pittsburgh has struggled significantly, allowing 69 goals, the most in the league. Goaltender Joel Blomqvist has a 3.60 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage, underscoring the challenges Pittsburgh has faced in net. The penalty kill ranks 11th at 82.4%, a stronger point that could be crucial in this matchup. They’ve accrued 129 penalty minutes this season, and limiting trips to the box will be key to reducing pressure on the defense against Columbus.

The Blue Jackets, with Kirill Marchenko scoring six goals and Sean Monahan leading with five assists, rank 17th in goals scored with 46. They have been slightly more efficient with a 21st-ranked shooting percentage of .097. Columbus has also struggled on the power play, matching Pittsburgh's 18.4% conversion rate. Injuries to players like Kent Johnson and Erik Gudbranson have limited the team's lineup options, challenging Columbus to find consistent offensive production and depth.

On the defensive end, Columbus has conceded 54 goals, ranking 25th, while goaltender Daniil Tarasov has struggled with a 3.89 goals-against average and a .865 save percentage. They boast a respectable penalty kill rate of 81.4%, ranking 14th. Columbus is generally disciplined, accumulating just 101 penalty minutes, which could help in limiting Pittsburgh’s chances.

The Penguins have shown stronger offensive potential and slightly better special teams play, which could make the difference in this matchup. If Pittsburgh can capitalize on Columbus' defensive vulnerabilities, they have a path to victory. Final Score Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins win 4-2.