Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 3/28/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+155) Penguins (-190)

PPG Paints Arena is the site where the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-30-10) will play the Columbus Blue Jackets (23-37-12) on Thursday. The odds on this game have the Blue Jackets at +155 while the Penguins are coming in at -190. The over/under is set at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will need a bounce back game after taking a 6-2 loss to the Coyotes in their previous outing. Columbus earned 19 penalty minutes for this contest. The Blue Jackets had a below average offensive outing in the defeat. In addition, they had 4 power play opportunities and notched 2 goals. While out there on the ice, they finished 2 of the 27 shots they attempted.

Get all of our NHL Picks Today

In terms of their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 205 goals (25th in hockey) so far this year and have conceded 264. For the season, they have scored 58 points and their points percentage comes in at .403. Columbus comes into the game with 193 power play opportunities and they have notched 29 goals during those chances, giving them a rate of 15.03%. While at even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 216 goals while having 176 as an offensive unit. Columbus has taken 2,175 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.4%. The Blue Jackets have seen 2,436 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .892. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 204 power play tries (26th in the NHL) and have come away with 48 goals in those chances.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Daniil Tarasov. Opponents have been able to score 131 goals against Tarasov in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 3.43. Tarasov has taken the ice for 42 matchups over the course of his hockey career. He has a save percentage of .902 for his 2,290 minutes between the pipes. He has compiled an overall mark of 11-23-4 and he was named the starter in 39 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Tarasov has recorded 20 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .513. Tarasov has seen 1,338 shots against him and has garnered 1,207 total saves.

Their last time out, Pittsburgh went up against the Hurricanes in a matchup where the Penguins notched a victory by a mark of 4-1. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this game but weren't able to score a goal. The Penguins recorded 4 goals out of the 22 shots on goal they were seeking.

On the campaign, the Pittsburgh Penguins have earned a total of 207 goals, 72 points, in addition to a points percentage of .507. They have allowed 212 goals to be scored by way of 172 goals at even strength and 40 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Penguins have earned 174 goals at even strength and 33 goals (29th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have a total of 230 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 14.35%. Pittsburgh has attempted 2,349 shots (6th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.81%, while allowing the opposition 2,156 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 80.95% on the other teams 210 power play chances, and their save percentage is currently 90.2%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Tristan Jarry in net. Jarry has compiled a career mark of 136-84-25 and has been in net for 256 games. Jarry's quality start rate is 60.6% and he has 149 quality starts in his pro hockey career. He has accrued 6,691 stops out of the 7,339 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .912. His opposition is averaging 2.69 goals per game and he has surrendered 648 goals altogether. He has been a starter 246 contests and has played 14,433 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+155)

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