NHL Game Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets (21-19-7) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (22-14-10)

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The Columbus Blue Jackets travel to Pittsburgh for a Metropolitan Division clash against the Penguins, where Columbus’s resilient road play meets Pittsburgh’s veteran core in a matchup that could hinge on special teams and goaltending. The Blue Jackets, sitting seventh in the division, aim to build on recent wins despite injuries thinning their lineup, while the Penguins, third in the Metropolitan, look to capitalize on home-ice advantage with Sidney Crosby leading the charge. Expect a competitive, mid-scoring game, but absences on both sides might lead to a defensive grind favoring the under if power plays are limited.

Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (broadcast on FDSNOH, SN-PIT)

Recent Team Forms

Both teams have been middling lately, with Columbus showing road grit but defensive vulnerabilities, and Pittsburgh leaning on home strength amid a slight dip.

Columbus Blue Jackets Last 10 Games (5-4-1 record, averaging 3.2 GPG scored, 3.1 GPG allowed)

DateOpponentResultKey Stats
1/15/2026vs BUFW 5-15 G, 24 SOG
1/13/2026vs CGYW 5-35 G, 28 SOG
1/11/2026@ UTAW 3-2 (OT)3 G, 32 SOG
1/10/2026@ COLL 4-00 G, 24 SOG
1/8/2026@ VGKL 5-33 G, 27 SOG
1/6/2026@ SJSL 5-22 G, 25 SOG
1/4/2026vs PITL 5-4 (OT)4 G, 25 SOG
1/3/2026vs BUFW 5-15 G, 31 SOG
12/30/2025vs NJDL 3-22 G, 28 SOG
12/28/2025@ OTTW 4-14 G, 22 SOG

Pittsburgh Penguins Last 10 Games (7-2-1 record, averaging 3.5 GPG scored, 2.5 GPG allowed)

DateOpponentResultKey Stats
1/15/2026vs TBLL 2-1 (SO)1 G, 31 SOG
1/13/2026vs TBLL 2-11 G, 27 SOG
1/11/2026@ BOSL 1-00 G, 20 SOG
1/10/2026vs CGYL 2-11 G, 25 SOG
1/8/2026vs NJDW 4-14 G, 29 SOG
1/6/2026vs BOSW 7-47 G, 27 SOG
1/4/2026@ CBJW 5-4 (OT)5 G, 43 SOG
1/3/2026vs DETW 4-34 G, 27 SOG
1/1/2026vs DETW 4-14 G, 29 SOG
12/30/2025vs CARW 5-15 G, 28 SOG

Injury Report

Injuries loom large, with both teams missing defensive anchors and forwards, likely slowing the pace and emphasizing depth players.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Day-to-Day: Denton Mateychuk (D, Upper Body)

Out: Isac Lundestrom (C, Lower Body), Mason Marchment (LW, Upper Body), Brendan Smith (D, Leg)

Returning: Erik Gudbranson (D, Hip – Expected to play), Damon Severson (D, Illness – Expected to play)

Pittsburgh Penguins

sportsbookwire.usatoday.com +3

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Out: Tanner Howe (LW, ACL), Erik Karlsson (D, Lower Body/Undisclosed – IR, reevaluated in 2 weeks), Rutger McGroarty (RW, Concussion), Caleb Jones (D, Lower Body – IR, on conditioning loan)

Returning: Bryan Rust (F, Lower Body – Participated in skate, expected back soon)

Key Player Matchups

With absences shifting roles, focus turns to star veterans and emerging talents; Pittsburgh’s experience could exploit Columbus’s weakened blue line.

Sidney Crosby (PIT) vs. Zach Werenski (CBJ): Crosby’s playmaking (45+ points) tests Werenski’s defensive shutdown after his recent return from injury.

Evgeni Malkin (PIT) vs. Sean Monahan (CBJ): Malkin’s scoring bursts vs. Monahan’s two-way center play; faceoffs could decide possession.

Rickard Rakell (PIT) vs. Kirill Marchenko (CBJ): Wing snipers; Rakell’s versatility vs. Marchenko’s shot volume in a secondary scoring battle.

Overall Edge: Penguins’ home depth and Crosby’s dominance give them the advantage, but Blue Jackets’ young guns could force turnovers if Gudbranson stabilizes the defense.

Series History

Pittsburgh dominates the all-time series, with recent wins underscoring their edge in this Metropolitan rivalry.

All-Time Record: Penguins lead 46-22-3 in 71 regular-season games

Recent Meetings: Penguins won the last on 1/4/2026 (5-4 OT)

In the last 5 games: Penguins 3-2 (average score: PIT 3.8, CBJ 3.2)

At PPG Paints Arena: Penguins have won 6 of the last 7 home games vs. Blue Jackets

Betting Trends

Blue Jackets: 4-1 ATS in last 5 Saturday games; 13-5 ATS as road underdogs

Penguins: 3-2 ATS in last 5; 4-1 ATS in last 5 home games

O/U Trends:

Blue Jackets: Over in 5 of last 7 vs. Metropolitan teams; Under in 4 of last 6 road games

Penguins: Over in 22 of 46 games; Over in 6 of last 9 vs. Columbus

Game Odds

Columbus Blue Jackets                  6.5

Pittsburgh Penguins                       – 125

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 16, 2026

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NHL Editor
NHL Editor
https://sportsgamingjournal.com/category/nhl/
Profile: A seasoned NHL analyst with a comprehensive understanding of the league’s tactical systems, player‑development pipelines, and organizational strategies. This columnist provides in‑depth coverage that blends film study, advanced metrics, and historical context to explain how teams evolve across an 82‑game season and into the postseason. Background: With extensive experience covering professional hockey, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on roster construction, coaching trends, and league‑wide movement. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term competitive cycles across all NHL markets. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive, defensive, and special‑teams systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and trade‑deadline coverage Salary‑cap strategy, front‑office trends, and organizational philosophy Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex systems and statistical models into insights that resonate with both traditional hockey fans and analytically minded readers. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NHL’s speed, physicality, and evolving style of play.