Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 3/5/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+165) Penguins (-205)

PPG Paints Arena is the location where the Pittsburgh Penguins (27-24-8) will go up against the Columbus Blue Jackets (20-30-10) on Tuesday. The odds on this game have Columbus at +165 while Pittsburgh is coming in at -205. The total is 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 5-2 win over the Blackhawks their last time on the ice. Columbus tallied 6 penalty mins in this game. The Blue Jackets had a good offensive outing and it showed in this win. Furthermore, they had 2 power play tries but weren't able to score. In the outing, they converted 5 of the 31 shots they attempted.

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When at even strength, the Blue Jackets have surrendered 179 goals while notching 151 when they are on offense. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 174 power play tries (27th in the league) and have scored 40 goals in those attempts. Concerning their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accounted for 176 goals (24th in hockey) on the campaign and have given up 219. Columbus has attempted 1,802 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.8%. For the year, they have tallied 50 points and their points percentage is sitting at .417. The Blue Jackets so far have had 1,999 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .890. Columbus has compiled 170 power play opportunities and they have notched 25 goals out of those advantages, earning them a rate of 14.71%.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Daniil Tarasov. Tarasov has participated in 35 games over the course of his pro hockey career. He has accumulated an overall mark of 8-21-3 and he started in 33 games. The opposition has been able to score 114 goals versus Tarasov in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 3.64. Tarasov has seen 1,086 shots against him and has gathered 972 saves. His save percentage is at .895 for his 1,877 minutes played. For his professional hockey career, Tarasov is sitting with 15 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .455.

When they were on the ice last, Pittsburgh went up against the Oilers in a game where the Penguins ended up losing by a mark of 6-1. They had 2 power play attempts in this matchup but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Penguins netted 1 goal of the 23 shots on goal they pursued.

The Penguins have 143 goals at even strength and 29 goals (27th in the NHL) while on the power play. Pittsburgh has taken 1,942 shots (11th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.86%, while allowing the other team 1,770 shots. On the campaign, the Pittsburgh Penguins have 172 goals, 62 points, and a points percentage of .525. They have granted a total of 164 goals to be scored by of a combination of 132 goals at even strength and 32 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 199 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 14.57%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 82.22% on their oppositions 180 tries on the power play, and their save percentage is 90.7%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Tristan Jarry in goal. He is sitting with 6,467 stops out of the 7,083 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .913. Jarry has accumulated a career mark of 134-79-24 and has played in 247 games. He got the starting nod in 238 games and has played 14,006 mins. Jarry's quality start percentage comes out to 60.9% and he has accumulated 145 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. His opposition is averaging 2.64 goals per contest and he has relinquished 616 goals overall.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus (+165)

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