Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Columbus has lost five in a row by a 16-4 count. They're 11-19-4 on the road with a defense that is 25th in penalty killing, 27th in goals allowed, and 27th in save percentage (.894). The Blue Jackets are on a 1-7 slide and are in the second of a back-to-back spot after losing last night at home to Florida, 1-0. Pittsburgh is working on two days of rest and plays its fifth straight home game. The offense is 11th in the NHL on the power play, and the Penguins have won four of their last five. Play Pittsburgh.

Columbus has won five of eight after a 6-4 win over St. Louis. They won three of those games as underdogs of +200, +130, and +185. The offense is seventh in the league in goals scored (3.38 per game). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has lost three in a row. The offense is 17th in shooting percentage, while the defense is last in goals surrendered (3.63 per game) and 28th in save percentage (.891). These teams last met in November with Columbus winning, 6-2, as an underdog. Play Columbus.

Pittsburgh is on a 3-4 run losing a pair in overtime. They won at Washington, 4-2, in their last road game as a +160 underdog. Last place Columbus has an offense that is 22nd in shooting percentage and 19th on the power play, while the defense is 29th in goals surrendered (3.60 per game) and 30th in save percentage (.882). Columbus has lost six in a row getting outscored 29-11. Play Pittsburgh. 

Pittsburgh has won nine of the past 10 meetings, including 3-2 just two nights ago as Evgeni Malkin scored two power-play goals and Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 17 of 19 shots for the Penguins. Tristan Jarry is likely back in net tonight for Pittsburgh and he has played better than his 19-24-5 record as he owns a 2.90 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage with six shutouts this season. Columbus is 12-43 its past 55 games against the Metropolitan Division and the Blue Jackets are on a current six-game losing streak as they play out the string of the regular season. Columbus has scored only 1.83 goals per game during the losing streak. Pittsburgh has won two in a row as they also beat Carolina 4-1 on Tuesday. Play the Penguins as a Max Play.