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)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| 1/15/2026 | vs BUF | W 5-1 | 5 G, 24 SOG |
| 1/13/2026 | vs CGY | W 5-3 | 5 G, 28 SOG |
| 1/11/2026 | @ UTA | W 3-2 (OT) | 3 G, 32 SOG |
| 1/10/2026 | @ COL | L 4-0 | 0 G, 24 SOG |
| 1/8/2026 | @ VGK | L 5-3 | 3 G, 27 SOG |
| 1/6/2026 | @ SJS | L 5-2 | 2 G, 25 SOG |
| 1/4/2026 | vs PIT | L 5-4 (OT) | 4 G, 25 SOG |
| 1/3/2026 | vs BUF | W 5-1 | 5 G, 31 SOG |
| 12/30/2025 | vs NJD | L 3-2 | 2 G, 28 SOG |
| 12/28/2025 | @ OTT | W 4-1 | 4 G, 22 SOG |
Pittsburgh Penguins Last 10 Games (7-2-1 record, averaging 3.5 GPG scored, 2.5 GPG allowed)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| 1/15/2026 | vs TBL | L 2-1 (SO) | 1 G, 31 SOG |
| 1/13/2026 | vs TBL | L 2-1 | 1 G, 27 SOG |
| 1/11/2026 | @ BOS | L 1-0 | 0 G, 20 SOG |
| 1/10/2026 | vs CGY | L 2-1 | 1 G, 25 SOG |
| 1/8/2026 | vs NJD | W 4-1 | 4 G, 29 SOG |
| 1/6/2026 | vs BOS | W 7-4 | 7 G, 27 SOG |
| 1/4/2026 | @ CBJ | W 5-4 (OT) | 5 G, 43 SOG |
| 1/3/2026 | vs DET | W 4-3 | 4 G, 27 SOG |
| 1/1/2026 | vs DET | W 4-1 | 4 G, 29 SOG |
| 12/30/2025 | vs CAR | W 5-1 | 5 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
:
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
