Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 3/7/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+260) Penguins (-333)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (20-37-6) are en route to PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday where they will compete against the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-22-9). The line on this matchup has the Blue Jackets at +260 and the Penguins open at -333. The total comes in at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will need a bounce back game after taking a 5-2 defeat to the Senators in their previous outing. The Blue Jackets didn't have a great showing offensively in the defeat. In the game, they tallied a score on 2 out of the 21 shots they put on goal. Moreover, they had 2 chances on the power play and scored 1 goal. Columbus had 6 penalty minutes in this game.

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While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 188 goals while having 133 on offense. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 192 power play tries (16th in the NHL) and have tallied 45 goals in those attempts. In reference to their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 162 goals (30th in pro hockey) over the course of the season and have conceded 233. Columbus has attempted 1,829 shots and holds a shot percentage of 8.9%. For the year, they have recorded 46 points and their points percentage comes in at .365. The Blue Jackets have had 2,212 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .895. Columbus has accounted for 167 power play opportunities and they have added 29 goals during those advantages, earning them a percentage of 17.37%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have scored 422 goals against Merzlikins in his professional career and his average for goals against per game is 3.11. Merzlikins has been in net for 148 matchups over the course of his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently is at .907 during his 8,135 minutes played. He has compiled a win-loss mark of 55-61-22 and he started in 135 games. During his career on the ice, Merzlikins has tallied 65 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .481. Merzlikins has had 4,522 shots taken against him and he has 4,100 total saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Pittsburgh squared up with the Panthers in an outing where the Penguins went home in defeat by a final of 4-1. They had 5 power play attempts in this game and earned 1 out of those chances. The Penguins converted 1 goal of the 32 shots on goal they were seeking.

On the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have earned a total of 200 goals, 71 points, in addition to a points percentage of .573. They have granted a total of 198 goals to be scored by way of 157 goals at even strength and 41 goals while they were shorthanded. The Penguins have accumulated 155 goals at even strength and 45 goals (10th in hockey) while on the power play. They have recorded 216 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 20.83%. Pittsburgh has attempted 2,087 shots (6th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.58%, while allowing the opposition 2,105 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 79.60% on their oppositions 201 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently comes in at 90.6%.

Across the ice you will find Tristan Jarry in goal. He has accrued 5,124 saves out of the 5,599 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .915. Jarry has compiled a lifetime record of 112-54-18 and has been in goal for 191 contests. He got the starting nod in 183 games and his ice time sits at 10,934 minutes. Jarry's percentage of quality starts sits at 61.2% and he has accumulated 112 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. The opposition is averaging 2.61 goals per game and he has yielded 475 goals overall.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh (-333)

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