Penguins vs Blue Jackets Prediction & Odds - 3/21/2025

The Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets to PPG Paints Arena in what could be a make-or-break game for both teams' fading playoff hopes.

While Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell have provided offensive sparks for the Penguins with a combined 55 goals this season, their defensive woes continue to haunt them as they've allowed over 3.5 goals per game - a troubling stat that the Blue Jackets' dynamic duo of Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson might exploit.

The Penguins look to turn things around on home ice against a Blue Jackets team that's been putting up impressive offensive numbers (3.19 goals per game) despite their own defensive struggles.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets preview

Friday night's Metropolitan Division clash at PPG Paints Arena pits two teams desperate to salvage something from their rocky seasons, with the Blue Jackets still clinging to wild card hopes while the Penguins look to snap out of their recent funk.

Columbus's offensive firepower has been their saving grace this year, with the young trio of Marchenko, Voronkov, and Johnson lighting up the scoreboard, while veteran defenseman Zach Werenski continues to quarterback the attack with an impressive 69-point campaign.

The Pens' struggles have been uncharacteristic, but Sidney Crosby remains a bright spot in an otherwise dim season, teaming up with Rickard Rakell to generate most of Pittsburgh's offensive threats.

Both teams' defensive woes have been painfully evident - the Blue Jackets are leaking goals despite Werenski and Provorov's best efforts, while Pittsburgh's blueline hasn't given Nedeljkovic much help in net.

The goaltending battle between Tarasov and Nedeljkovic could be the key factor, with both netminders fighting to find consistency after posting sub-.900 save percentages this season.

This one has all the makings of an old-school, high-scoring Metropolitan Division shootout - the kind where defense takes a backseat to raw offensive talent.

Keep an eye on Columbus's Adam Fantilli, who's been finding his groove lately and could be a difference-maker against Pittsburgh's struggling defense.