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Sidney Crosby, Penguins Ride Hot Streaks Into Matchup With Jackets
Sidney Crosby continues to defy time and logic — and he’s doing it in vintage form. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain has tallied nine points (five goals, four assists) over a five-game point streak, leading his club into Saturday night’s home clash against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena.
The Penguins are rolling with four straight wins and a 6-2-0 record overall, while Crosby is now just two points shy of 1,700 — a mark reached by only eight players in NHL history. If he gets there Saturday, he’ll join legends Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman as the only players to record that many points while spending their entire career with one team.
“I don’t really think about that stuff,” Crosby said after Pittsburgh’s 5-3 win over Florida. “It’s nice to be in that company, but these are big two points against a tough team.”
Crosby scored twice in that victory, extending both his goal streak to four games and the Penguins’ momentum to full throttle. New head coach Dan Muse praised the team’s growing depth: “We’re getting contributions from every line, and that’s what good teams do.”
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Game Information
Matchup: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Venue: PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
Odds: Penguins -116 | Blue Jackets -104 | Total 6.5
Penguins: Vintage Crosby, Balanced Depth
The Penguins are thriving under Muse’s up-tempo system, ranking 2nd in assists (51) and top five in overall scoring through eight games. Crosby leads the charge, but he’s far from alone. Evgeni Malkin has 10 assists in that span, Erik Karlsson has rediscovered his offensive spark from the blue line, and Tristan Jarry has been sharp in net with a 2.41 GAA and .921 save percentage.
Pittsburgh’s special teams have also been elite, converting on 27% of power plays while killing off 88% of penalties. The Penguins’ recent 5-3 win over the Panthers showed their offensive balance — goals came from four different players, and the team didn’t trail for a second.
Their puck possession has been among the best in the NHL standings and odds metrics this month, with Pittsburgh outshooting opponents in six of eight games. That sustained pressure has allowed them to dominate third periods, outscoring foes 13–6 late in games.
Injury Report – Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Joel Blomqvist (G) | Out | Lower Body |
| Kevin Hayes (C) | Out | Upper Body |
| Tanner Howe (LW) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Rutger McGroarty (RW) | Out | Upper Body |
| Emil Pieniniemi (D) | Out | Suspension |
| Jack St. Ivany (D) | Out | Lower Body |
Blue Jackets: Competitive but Inconsistent
The Columbus Blue Jackets enter this matchup at 3-4-0, looking to regroup after Friday’s 5-1 home loss to Washington. They played well through two periods, outshooting the Capitals 22–14 before surrendering three goals in five minutes that flipped the game.
Head coach Dean Evason took the loss in stride.
“The players know how hard they worked,” Evason said. “They just have to keep doing that — it’ll turn.”
There are bright spots. Rookie defenseman Denton Mateychuk scored the lone goal Friday and has been a pleasant surprise with his skating and offensive instincts. Winger Kirill Marchenko leads the team with five goals, while Dmitri Voronkov has quietly become one of Columbus’ most versatile forwards with seven points.
Still, the Jackets’ inability to finish chances has been costly — despite ranking 7th in takeaways, they’re 28th in shooting percentage. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins has faced heavy workloads, making 102 saves in just three appearances.
Injury Report – Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Luca Marrelli (D) | Out | Shoulder |
| Miles Wood (LW) | Questionable | Facial |
For bettors tracking Columbus’ value as an underdog, their puckline record remains positive, covering in two of their last three games — a trend highlighted in the NHL picks and betting guide.
Analysis
This matchup is a test of consistency. The Penguins are firing on all cylinders with a balanced attack and elite puck movement, while the Blue Jackets have shown flashes of energy but lack sustained scoring punch. Columbus tends to fade late in games — a dangerous habit against a team like Pittsburgh that thrives in the third period.
Expect Crosby’s line to control tempo early and for Pittsburgh’s defense, led by Karlsson and Marcus Pettersson, to limit Columbus’ neutral zone speed. Unless Merzlikins steals the show, the Jackets may struggle to keep up with the Penguins’ rolling offense.
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Prediction
Crosby’s milestone chase adds extra motivation, and the Penguins’ chemistry is peaking. Columbus may hang around early, but Pittsburgh’s top-six depth and power-play edge should prove decisive.
Projected Score: Penguins 5, Blue Jackets 2
Best Bets: Pittsburgh ML (-116), Over 6.5 (-108)
For real-time odds, prop bets, and verified expert picks, visit the ScoresAndStats NHL hub and track line movement ahead of puck drop.
