Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 12/6/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+215) Penguins (-265)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (8-13-2) are on their way to PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday where they will try to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (13-8-4). The line on this contest has Columbus at +215 and Pittsburgh is opening at -265. The total has been set at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 4-2 defeat against the Red Wings in their previous outing. Columbus accumulated 10 penalty minutes in this contest. The Blue Jackets had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in this loss. In addition, they had 3 power play tries and were able to notch 1 goal. For the game, they scored on 2 out of the 34 shots they looked to score on.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 72 power play tries (28th in the NHL) and have scored 16 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets so far have had 834 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .891. Columbus has attempted 684 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.7%. At even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 75 goals while having 57 as an offensive unit. Columbus has accounted for 58 power play chances and they have tallied 9 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 15.52%. For the current campaign, they have earned 18 points and their points percentage is sitting at .391. With regard to their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 66 goals (27th in pro hockey) on the season and have allowed 91.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Elvis Merzlikins. For his career, Merzlikins has compiled 59 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .500. His save percentage currently is at .910 in his 7,088 minutes played. Merzlikins has had 3,929 shot attempts against him and has accrued 3,575 saves. The opposition has racked up 354 goals versus Merzlikins in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 3.00. He has a mark of 50-49-20 and was named the starter in 118 games. Merzlikins has been involved in 129 games during his pro hockey career.

In their last game, Pittsburgh faced off against the Blues in a matchup where the Penguins ended up with the victory by a final of 6-2. They had 4 power play opportunities in this outing and scored 2 out of those tries. The Penguins converted 6 goals out of the 38 shots on goal they took.

During this campaign, the Pittsburgh Penguins have notched a total of 88 goals, 30 points, and a points percentage of .600. They have allowed 78 goals to be scored by way of 63 goals at even strength and 15 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Penguins have accumulated 73 goals at even strength and 15 goals (24th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have recorded 82 power play chances and they have earned a power play percentage of 18.29%. Pittsburgh has attempted 843 shots (7th in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 10.44%, while allowing the opposition 844 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 80.52% on their opponents 77 power play chances, and their save percentage currently comes in at 90.8%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Tristan Jarry patrolling the crease. His opposition is averaging 2.60 goals/game and he has relinquished 435 goals altogether. Jarry's rate of quality starts is 61.7% and he has 103 quality starting assignments in his career. He has started in 167 games and has been on the ice for 10,035 minutes. Jarry holds a career record of 103-50-16 and has played in 175 contests. He has a tally of 4,679 saves out of 5,114 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .915.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh (-265)

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