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Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Picks and Predictions – January 17, 2026
The Columbus Blue Jackets head to PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday night to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in an all-Metro Division battle, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM ET. These two teams are trending in different directions — Pittsburgh is trying to climb into a playoff spot, while Columbus continues to play the role of spoiler as they look to the future.
Pittsburgh enters as -132 home favorites on the moneyline, while Columbus checks in as a +109 underdog. The puck line is -1.5 (+185) for the Penguins and +1.5 (-227) for the Blue Jackets. The total is set at 6.5 goals flat, with both sides priced at -110. While the moneyline isn’t overly steep, the matchup has some volatility baked in — making it a sneaky spot for bettors hunting value.
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Below are the current odds for Blue Jackets vs Penguins. Keep an eye on injury reports, starting goalies, and market movement with the latest NHL odds before betting.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +109 | +1.5 (-227) | O 6.5 (-110) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | -132 | -1.5 (+185) | U 6.5 (-110) |
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Form
The Blue Jackets remain near the bottom of the East, but they’ve been a bit scrappier lately, especially in divisional games. They’ve won four of their last eight and are finally starting to generate more offense at even strength. Patrik Laine has returned to the lineup, giving their top six a much-needed boost, while Johnny Gaudreau has quietly posted better underlying numbers over the past few weeks.
Defensively, Columbus is still vulnerable. They rank bottom five in goals against per game and give up a ton of high-danger chances. Their penalty kill is also one of the league’s worst, and that could be a key issue here against a Pittsburgh power play that can still be dangerous. Elvis Merzlikins has had some solid performances, but the defense in front of him continues to bleed shot volume.
With the puck line at -227, there’s no value on Columbus to keep it close, even if that’s their most likely path. Instead, if you like them in this spot, the +109 moneyline is the only real play. For lineup clarity, always check the Columbus Blue Jackets injury report and track current form via the Columbus Blue Jackets team page.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Form
The Penguins are stuck in that frustrating middle tier — good enough to contend, inconsistent enough to fall short. They’ve gone 6-4 over their last ten, with strong performances from Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel carrying the load offensively. Evgeni Malkin remains effective but less explosive, and the bottom six continues to lack finish.
Where Pittsburgh has improved is defensively. Their expected goals against has dropped significantly in recent weeks, thanks in part to better play from the third pairing and some big games from Tristan Jarry. The goaltending tandem has been solid overall, but still somewhat unpredictable from game to game.
Special teams have also picked up. The Penguins’ power play has clicked more frequently in the last few weeks, and that could be a key edge here against Columbus’ struggling PK. The puck line at +185 is attractive if you believe Pittsburgh can pull away, though most of their wins have been by one goal. Monitor the Pittsburgh Penguins injury report for any late changes, and check the full Pittsburgh Penguins stats and results for betting trends.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup Breakdown
This game hinges on whether Columbus can generate enough offense to keep pace — or whether Pittsburgh controls the puck and tempo. The Blue Jackets struggle in puck possession and allow way too many shots against, especially on the road. That lines up well for a Pittsburgh team that thrives when they have space and time in the offensive zone.
Matchup notes:
- Pittsburgh is top 10 in shots per game; Columbus is bottom 3 in shots allowed.
- The Penguins’ PP has improved — big edge over the Jackets’ bottom-tier PK.
- Goaltending edge leans Pittsburgh, but not by much.
- The Blue Jackets have gone Over in 6 of their last 8 road games.
This game sets up well for Pittsburgh to dominate in terms of time on attack. The only thing that could slow them down is if they start flat or can’t capitalize early on power plays. Columbus will need to play almost perfect defensively to steal this, which has rarely been the case.
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NHL Lines Before the Puck Drops
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Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Predictions and Best Bets
The moneyline odds reflect where these two teams stand right now. Pittsburgh is the better team, especially at home, and they’ve shown a higher floor over the last month. At -132, they’re still playable, and you could argue there’s value if you expect their power play to keep producing.
The puck line at +185 is riskier but viable — especially if you think Columbus folds late or gets buried in the second period. The safer play is the moneyline, but alternate spreads might also be worth exploring for plus-money hunters.
As for the total, 6.5 is sharp. If you trust Pittsburgh to drive the pace and convert their chances — and you believe Columbus can chip in a couple — the Over has life. But if it’s a slower, more disciplined game, it may stay Under. Lean Over 6.5 (-110), but it’s not a confident position.
Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins moneyline (-132)
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