The Columbus Blue Jackets (20-37-6) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-22-9) Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jackets vs. Penguins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blue Jackets have dropped the last 2 games by a combined score of 9-4. Columbus has allowed 3 or more goals in 5 consecutive games and has alternated the Over and Under across the past 6 outings.
The Penguins had a 4-game win streak snapped with a 4-1 loss at the Florida Panthers Saturday. Pittsburgh has allowed 3 or more goals in 3 of the past 4, and 12 of the past 16, games.
This is the 3rd of 4 regular-season meetings. Pittsburgh won 4-1 at home on Dec. 6 behind G Tristan Jarry and won in Columbus by a 6-3 count on Oct. 22, also behind Jarry.
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Blue Jackets at Penguins odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jackets +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Penguins -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jackets +1.5 (+105) | Penguins -1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Blue Jackets at Penguins projected goalies
Elvis Merzlikins (7-17-2, 4.15 GAA, .879 SV%) vs. Tristan Jarry (19-7-5, 2.77 GAA, .916 SV%, 1 SO)
Merzlikins allowed 4 goals on 23 shots in just over a period of action before getting pulled against the Ottawa Senators Saturday. He is 0-2-0 with a 5.12 GAA and .863 SV% in 2 starts against the Penguins this season.
Jarry turned aside 4 goals on 31 shots in a 5-4 OT win at the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday. The British Columbia native is 10-4-0 with a 2.63 GAA and .923 SV% in 17 home outings and 2-0-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .944 SV% against CBJ this season.
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Blue Jackets at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Penguins 5, Blue Jackets 2
Moneyline
The Penguins (-300) will cost 3 times your potential return, and that’s just way too much risk for not enough reward. Even in a multi-team parlay, the Pens just don’t have value.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The PENGUINS -1.5 (-125) are much cheaper laying the goal and a half. Pittsburgh has won and covered on the puck line as favorites in both meetings with the Blue Jackets this season, winning each by 3 goals.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-115) is the lean, but expect it to be a close shave.
The Over is 7-3 in the past 10 games for the Blue Jackets against Eastern Conference foes and is 5-1 in the past 6 following a loss of 3 or more goals.
The Over is 3-0-1 in the past 4 home games for the Pens, while cashing at a 4-1-1 clip in the past 6 against Eastern Conference opponents.
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