The Pittsburgh Penguins (31-22-9) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (20-37-6) at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday. Columbus is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Senators on Saturday.
The Blue Jackets took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on two shots while holding Ottawa without a power play goal.
Jack Roslovic and Patrik Laine each scored once for the Blue Jackets. Elvis Merzlikins saved only 19 of 23 shots against (.826%) after starting in the loss.
Pittsburgh is returning home for a five-game homestand after a 4-1 loss against the Panthers on Saturday, ending a four-game winning streak. Kris Letang netted the lone goal for the Penguins. Casey DeSmith only had 38 saves on 42 shots against (.904%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Penguins have won both games between the teams this season, including a 4-1 victory in their most recent meeting in December, their seventh straight win against Columbus.
Sidney Crosby (2G 0A), Bryan Rust (1G 1A), and Jake Guentzel (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Pittsburgh. Johnny Gaudreau scored Columbus’ only goal. Tristan Jarry got the win, saving 38 of 39 shots (.974%).
FACING OFF
Columbus is averaging 2.57 goals per game for the season, 30th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that is allowing 3.19 goals a game (18th).
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has found the net 3.23 times a game on average, 14th in the league, and the Blue Jackets are allowing opponents to score 3.70 goals per game (29th).
Pittsburgh averages more shots/game (33.7) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth, though the team’s 9.6% shooting percentage is 23rd. With an average of 29.0 attempts, Columbus ranks 27th.
The Penguins’ 20.83% power play percentage ranks 16th in the league, while the Blue Jackets are 27th with a conversion rate of 17.58%. When it comes to defending power plays, Pittsburgh has the league’s 15th-ranked PK% at 79.60%, while Columbus is 21st at 76.56%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 55 points this season, Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He has 15 goals and 40 assists in 61 games. In the net, Joonas Korpisalo (11-11-3) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.17 GAA and a .911% save percentage.
Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with 73 points. He has 27 goals and 46 assists. Jarry (19-7-5) has the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.77. He has a save percentage of .916%.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is 7-18-4 on the road this season. Pittsburgh is 16-9-4 at PPG Paints Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins -1.5 (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
