Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction & Picks - NHL
USA - NHL
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by Taavi Pailk | in NHL Picks
The Pittsburgh Penguins will look to return to winning ways on Friday at Nationwide Arena against their Metropolitan Division rival, the Columbus Blue Jackets. These teams always tend to entertain fans, and goals look to be on the menu again.
Pittsburgh has been on fire early in the season, averaging 4.50 goals per game. However, the team has also suffered from defensive issues. After shutting out Philadelphia in the season opener, Pittsburgh has allowed 13 goals in three games.
Columbus can’t be happy about its defense either. Rick Bowness’ men have given up seven goals in two games. But offseason additions Matthew Knies and Valeri Nichushkin make them a big offensive threat. Until things improve at the back, the Blue Jackets will lean on their frontline.
These teams were evenly matched last season, with all four regular-season meetings going past regulation. It looks to be the same story in 2026-27, and another back-and-forth contest appears likely on Friday night. Both teams look capable of scoring at any time, but questions linger about their defensive units.
Defensively, Columbus’ situation is particularly concerning, as the team opened the season with three regular defensemen missing due to injury. Damon Severson is expected to return on Friday, but the team will still be far from 100 percent healthy.
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13
|
4 | 258 | 1 | 1 | +7 |
|
23
|
2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Oct 3, 2026 - NHL
Oct 1, 2026 - NHL
Apr 14, 2026 - NHL
Apr 12, 2026 - NHL
Apr 11, 2026 - NHL
Apr 9, 2026 - NHL
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
Oct 3, 2026 - NHL
Oct 1, 2026 - NHL
Apr 14, 2026 - NHL
Apr 12, 2026 - NHL
Apr 4, 2026 - NHL
Mar 31, 2026 - NHL
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Apr 11, 2026 - NHL
Apr 9, 2026 - NHL
Apr 7, 2026 - NHL
Apr 2, 2026 - NHL
Mar 26, 2026 - NHL
Mar 24, 2026 - NHL
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
Oct 7, 2026 - NHL
Oct 5, 2026 - NHL
Oct 3, 2026 - NHL
Sep 30, 2026 - NHL
Apr 29, 2026 - NHL
Apr 27, 2026 - NHL
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Oct 5, 2026 - NHL
Oct 3, 2026 - NHL
Apr 27, 2026 - NHL
Apr 20, 2026 - NHL
Apr 18, 2026 - NHL
Apr 11, 2026 - NHL
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Oct 7, 2026 - NHL
Sep 30, 2026 - NHL
Apr 29, 2026 - NHL
Apr 25, 2026 - NHL
Apr 22, 2026 - NHL
Apr 14, 2026 - NHL
Columbus Blue Jackets against Pittsburgh Penguins : Head to Head (H2H)
67 %
33 %
Jan 17, 2026 - NHL
Jan 4, 2026 - NHL
Nov 28, 2025 - NHL
Oct 25, 2025 - NHL
Jan 7, 2025 - NHL
Nov 15, 2024 - NHL
Players list
C. Talbot
J. Greaves
Z. Werenski
J. Christiansen
D. Mateychuk
E. Andrae
C. Soucy
E. Gudbranson
M. Olivier
D. Heinen
C. Garland
S. Monahan
C. Coyle
V. Nichushkin
R. Lomberg
M. Knies
C. Sillinger
K. Johnson
D. Voronkov
A. Fantilli
A. Silovs
S. Murashov
S. Girard
T. Van Riemsdyk
E. Karlsson
K. Letang
D. Carlile
K. Korczak
S. Crosby
B. Kindel
T. Novak
B. Rust
R. Rakell
E. Malkin
C. Dewar
V. Koivunen
H. Lapierre
B. Lizotte
E. Chinakhov
N. Robertson
Most goals and assists
Columbus Blue Jackets
Pittsburgh Penguins
M. Knies
(2 Goals)
N. Robertson
(3 Goals)
,
T. Novak
(3 Goals)
C. Coyle
(3 Assists)
K. Korczak
(4 Assists)
, 
E. Karlsson
(4 Assists)
Columbus Blue Jackets - Pittsburgh Penguins Key Points
- In four Penguins games this season, there have been 7.75 goals per game.
- In games involving the Blue Jackets this season, the scoring average has been 7.00 goals.
- Pittsburgh and Columbus have played out eight consecutive games with over 6.5 goals.
- Since 2023-24, 10 of 11 head-to-head clashes in this matchup have had over 6.5 goals.
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Our Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction
Pittsburgh looks incredibly dangerous up front, with eight players averaging at least one point per game. Offensively, they got off to a great start even without Bryan Rust, who didn't make his season debut until Wednesday against Washington.
Columbus flexed its muscles with a 6-3 victory in their home opener against Buffalo, netting three first-period goals. The team can score in bunches when it clicks.
Our prediction for Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Over 6.5 goals.
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