The Pittsburgh Penguins (3-0-1) will be looking to remain unbeaten when they travel to face the Columbus Blue Jackets (2-3-0) at Nationwide Arena on Saturday. Pittsburgh is kicking off a six-game road trip coming off a 6-1 win over the Kings on Thursday. The Penguins committed six penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Six players found the net for the Penguins.
Jeff Petry scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Tristan Jarry had a great performance with 39 saves (.975%) in the win. Columbus beat the Predators 5-3 on Thursday. Johnny Gaudreau was the leading goal scorer for the Blue Jackets, netting twice. Elvis Merzlikins surrendered three goals on 26 shots (.884%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Penguins won all four games between the teams last season, including a 5-3 victory in their final meeting in April, their fifth straight win against Columbus. Marcus Pettersson led Pittsburgh with three points (1G 2A). Gustav Nyquist (1G 1A) and Jakub Voracek (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Columbus. Casey DeSmith got the win, saving 33 of 36 shots (.916%).
FACING OFF
Pittsburgh is averaging 5.00 goals per game so far this season, best in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 4.00 goals a game (26th). Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.80 times a game on average, 23rd in the league, and the Penguins are allowing opponents to score 2.00 goals per game (2nd).
Pittsburgh averages more shots a game (40.0) than any other team in the league. Columbus’ average of 32.0 attempts ranks 18th.The Blue Jackets’ 0.00% power play percentage is the worst in the league, while the Penguins rank seventh with a conversion rate of 31.25%. When it comes to defending power plays, Columbus has the league’s 10th-ranked PK% at 86.67%, while Pittsburgh is 23rd at 72.22%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With seven points already this season, Sidney Crosby is the top skater for the Penguins. He has two goals and five assists in four games. In the net, Jarry (3-0-0) is Pittsburgh’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 1.68 GAA, third-best in the league, and a .952% save percentage, also third-best.
Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with six points. He has four goals (6th) and two assists in five games. Merzlikins (2-1-0) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.61. He has a save percentage of .872%.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is 2-1-0 at Nationwide Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Columbus Blue Jackets (+150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
