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The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday Night. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word On Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. In today’s matchup, it’s a Metropolitan Division clash between Pittsburgh and Columbus.
Head-to-Head: Blue Jackets 1-0 Penguins
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Sidney Crosby and the Penguins take on Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets in a battle of divisional rivals.
The Pittsburgh Penguins come into this game having won 4-2 over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night. The depth of the Penguins was the big story in that game, as none of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, or Kris Letang were able to record a point in the game. Against a stingy and fast Blue Jackets team, the Penguins will need their depth to show up once again. Coming out of the American Thanksgiving break, the Penguins are in a Stanley Cup playoff Wild Card spot, with a chance to reclaim third place in the division. Expect a better effort than the last few games for the Penguins as it seems as though they are getting more into the flow of their game once again.
Evgeni Malkin leads the team with six goals and 24 points through 22 games. Sidney Crosby trails behind him with 13 goals and 23 points and 22 games. Expect rookie Benjamin Kindel to get back into the lineup against Columbus, as well as the potential appearance of rookie forward, Rutger McGroarty, who has been playing in the AHL since returning from injury. The Penguins will need offence from their entire lineup in order to beat a stingy Columbus Blue Jackets team.
The Blue Jackets come into this game off of a disappointing loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Going 4-2-4 in their last 10, Columbus has struggled to build momentum and establish footing in a very tight Eastern Conference. The parity of the conference however, gives them ample opportunity to build up a points cushion, as they along with many other teams are just one point behind the Penguins and three other teams in a four-way tie for a spot in the playoffs at the moment. Expect the Blue Jackets to prioritize getting their systems rolling and building momentum, gearing up for the second quarter of the season.
Kirill Marchenko and Zach Werenski lead the scoring in Columbus. Both Marchenko and Werenski have eight goals and 22 points in 22 games. Columbus has started seeing dividends from some of their younger talent. Dmitri Voronkov has nine goals and 18 points, while Adam Fantilli has nine goals and 17 points on the season. Expect Jet Greaves to get the start in net for the Blue Jackets. The 24-year-old netminder has gone 7-4-4 with a .905 save percentage this season. Shutting down the Penguins offence will be critical to win in this contest.
Both the Penguins and the Blue Jackets need to get some momentum going to build some padding in a very tight conference. Expect Columbus to put their best foot forward, however, and get the win in this game.
NHL Prediction: Blue Jackets win 5-3
Expecting a higher scoring game in this one, a popular prop bet of goals over seven with odds of +170 is a good bet for this one.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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Rohit is a Business Communications graduate from Brock University. He’s been watching and following the NHL since 2012. Although he is from Toronto, his favourite team has always been the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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