Clash of the Underdogs: Can the Blue Jackets Upset the Penguins in a Nail-Biting Showdown?

Tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena in a clash that’s more than just another game on the schedule. The Penguins, trudging through a rough patch with just three wins in their last ten outings and having lost five of seven most recently, arrive in Columbus sitting 5th in the Metro with 27 points. Meanwhile, the Metro Division standings resemble a chaotic puzzle—New Jersey’s perched at the top with 31 points, while the Blue Jackets and Rangers hover just beneath with 26 points apiece. Every point counts in this scramble, and Columbus will really need to clinch this one in regulation, shutting down any chance Pittsburgh has of sneaking away with a point or two. Columbus comes into this contest with a respectable 4-2-4 run over their last ten, and they’re poised to capitalize on the Penguins’ struggles. Let’s dig into the numbers, players to watch, and what this game means for both squads as the action unfolds tonight. LEARN MORE

The Columbus Blue Jackets are at home to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at Nationwide Arena.

The Pittsburgh Penguins come into Columbus having gone 3-4-3 in their last 10 games and are losers of 5 of 7. They currently sit with 27 points and are 5th in the Metro.

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The Metro Division is wacky right now, so every single point matters. The New Jersey Devils sit atop the Metro with 31 points, while the Blue Jackets and Rangers sit 7th and 8th with 26 points. So, Columbus would be wise to win this game in regulation and not let the Pens get any points.

The Blue Jackets are 4-2-4 in their last 10 games and can beat this struggling Penguins team.

Blue Jackets Stats

• Power Play – 16.1% – 25th in the NHL

• Penalty Kill – 74.6% – 27th in the NHL

• Goals For – 67 – 25th in the NHL

• Goals Against – 77 – 24th in the NHL

Penguins Stats

• Power Play – 31.4% – 1st in the NHL

• Penalty Kill – 85.2% – 5th in the NHL

• Goals For – 68 – 23rd in the NHL

• Goals Against – 57 – 2nd in the NHL

Series History vs. The Penguins

• Columbus is 19-30-9 all-time, and 13-11-4 at home vs. Pittsburgh.

• The Jackets are 5-4-1 in the last 10 against the Pens overall, and 5-5 in the last 10 at home.

• The CBJ are 1-0 against the Pens this season.

Who To Watch For The Penguins

• Sidney Crosby leads the Pens with 13 goals.

• Evgeni Malkin leads the team with 18 assists and 24 points.

• Goalie Tristan Jarry is 6-2-0 with a SV% of .914. His last start was on November 27th against the Sabres.

• Arturs Silovs is 4-3-4 with a SV% of .907. His last start was on November 21st against the Wild.

CBJ Player Notes vs. Penguins

• Zach Werenski has a stat line of 4-9-13 in 22 career games against Pittsburgh.

• Charlie Coyle has 21 points in 35 games.

• Adam Fantilli has 3 points in 5 games against the Pens.

Injuries

• Erik Gudbranson – Upper Body – Missed 16 games – IR

• Boone Jenner – Upper Body – Missed 8 Games – IR

• Kirill Marchenko – Lower Body – Missed 2 Game

• Mathieu Olivier – Upper Body – Missed 1 Game

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 39

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight’s game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 93.3 The Bus, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.

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