Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The Columbus Blue Jackets return home to Ohio following a disappointing away tour in terms of results. In front of their fans, the Blue Jackets have an opportunity to get back to winning ways as they host a struggling Penguins team.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Interestingly, the quality of hockey in the Blue Jackets is not as poor as it might seem. In each of their last five games, they have generated more xG in even-strength situations than their opponents. This is partly because the Blue Jackets have been forced to chase games and increase the tempo, but only partly. Their ability to shift gears and seize the initiative will pay off in the long run. The team has been let down by weak goaltending, but against their upcoming opponent, this will be less critical: the Penguins only convert 6.2% of their shots in 5-on-5 format, ranking them 29th in the league.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Major changes have been brewing in the Penguins for some time, and this season, general manager Kyle Dubas should seriously consider trading some of the team’s stars. It has reached a point where, after a heavy defeat to the Dallas Stars (1:7), Evgeni Malkin felt compelled to apologise to the fans and the entire city. The Penguins' defensive performance has been dreadful, and the situation is only worsening over time. In their last 10 games, the players have been allowing 12.5 high-danger scoring chances per hour in even-strength play—on par with teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction
In this clash of underdogs, betting on the underdog seems more valuable. Four of the Blue Jackets’ five wins this season have come on home ice. Moreover, advanced metrics indicate that they are much closer to breaking out of their slump than the Pittsburgh Penguins. We’re backing a win for the hosts.
