Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 10/22/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, October 22, 2022

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Penguins (-146) Blue Jackets (+122)

The Columbus Blue Jackets host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena on Saturday. The odds on this game have the Penguins at -146 and the Blue Jackets are priced at +122. The total is set at 7.

The Pittsburgh Penguins came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 6-1 victory against the Kings in their previous game. The Penguins had a good offensive output in the win. For the game, they tallied a score on 6 of the 34 shots they put on net. Moreover, they had 3 power play tries and were able to notch 1 goal. Pittsburgh amassed 14 minutes in the box for this game.

Get all of our NHL Picks Today

While playing at even strength, the Penguins have allowed 3 goals while getting 15 themselves. Pittsburgh Penguins opponents have 18 power play opportunities (9th in hockey) and have come away with 5 goals in those attempts. In the matter of their scoring capabilities, the Pittsburgh Penguins have racked up 20 goals (2nd in the league) on the campaign and have allowed 8. Pittsburgh has tried 160 shots and holds a shot percentage of 12.5%. For the current season, they have racked up 7 points and their points percentage is .875. The Penguins thus far have had 143 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .944. Pittsburgh skates onto the rink with 16 power play chances and they have scored 5 goals out of those chances, garnering them a percentage of 31.25%.

The man in goal for this game is Tristan Jarry. During his career on the ice, Jarry has accumulated 96 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .623. His save percentage is at .916 for his 9,248 minutes in the crease. Jarry has seen 4,674 shot attempts against him and has recorded 4,280 total saves. The opposition has been able to score 394 goals versus Jarry in his pro career and his average for goals against per game is 2.56. He has earned a win-loss mark of 96-47-13 and he has started in 154 games. Jarry has played in 162 matchups throughout his pro hockey career.

In their last contest, Columbus played the Predators in a matchup where the Blue Jackets notched a win by a mark of 5-3. The Blue Jackets scored 5 goals of the 42 shots on goal they pursued. They had 3 attempts on the power play in this one but weren't able to score a goal.

On the campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a total of 14 goals, 4 points, in addition to a points percentage of .400. They have granted a total of 20 goals to be scored by of a combination of 18 goals at even strength and 2 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blue Jackets have racked up 14 goals at even strength and 0 goals (32nd in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have recorded 13 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 0.00%. Columbus has put up 160 shots (11th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 8.75%, while allowing the other team 168 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 86.67% on their opponents 15 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 88.1%.

Across the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins protecting the goal. He has tallied 3,421 saves out of the 3,750 shots taken, giving him a save % of .912. Merzlikins is the owner of a lifetime mark of 50-45-20 and has participated in 123 games. He was named a starter in 113 contests and his ice time sits at 6,815 minutes. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts comes in at 52.2% and he has accumulated 59 quality starts in his pro career. Opponents are averaging 2.90 goals per game and he has allowed 329 goals in total.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (+122)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here