The Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets are set to face off on January 7, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena, and with both teams vying for playoff positioning, the stakes couldn't be higher. The Penguins will be aiming to end their three-game losing streak, having dropped their last several matches, and will look to Rickard Rakell and Sidney Crosby to light the way.
The Penguins currently hold a record of 17-17-7, putting them on the fringes of contention for the postseason. While they are the slight favorites, with moneyline odds currently standing at -146, every game counts as they compete with Columbus, who also sit at 17-17-6. The two teams square off at 7:00 PM ET, broadcasting live on ESPN+, and anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
According to Data Skrive, the Penguins need to start scoring more consistently if they aim to turn their season around. With averages of 3.0 goals per game, they are ranked 12th for scoring but have the unfortunate title of allowing the most goals against, at 3.6 per game. On the other hand, the Blue Jackets can boast some impressive offensive numbers of their own, averaging 3.4 goals per game and ranking sixth overall.
Recent performances show Pittsburgh’s offense struggling. They have managed only four total goals over their last three games, raising concerns about their offensive capabilities as they head toward this pivotal matchup. Columbus, meanwhile, has shown resilience and growth, most recently winning 6-4 against the St. Louis Blues. Zachary Werenski leads their charge, boasting 45 points this season, including 12 goals and 33 assists, making him one of the players to watch.
Both teams desperately need points as they approach the midway point of the season. Columbus has been flourishing with newfound talent integrating well with experienced veterans, leading some enthusiasts to believe they can sneak back to playoff contention for the first time since the 2019-20 season. "Anytime you go to the season, no matter what you have on the team or whatever happens with the team, your goal is to make the playoffs and then see what happens," stated Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov.
Considering their past encounters, the Penguins have not tasted victory against Columbus at home since November 27, 2015. The last matchup took place on November 15, 2024, where the Blue Jackets dominated, securing a 6-2 victory. The Penguins will be eager not to let history repeat itself, especially on their home ice.
Looking at their strategies for the match, the Penguins have shown strength when favored, winning seven of their last nine games as favorites. Interestingly, the Blue Jackets have not fared as well on the road, with only four wins against 12 losses. Head Coach Dean Evason identified the road performance as needing immediate improvement: "For whatever reason, we need to correct [the road woes]. There’s no reason why we shouldn't be as good or even a little bit of a road team than the home team."
During their recent competitive stretch, the Blue Jackets have averaged 3.6 goals across their last ten contests. Their young players, including the likes of Kirill Marchenko, who has been making waves with 43 points this season, could prove pivotal as the game progresses and play heats up. Meanwhile, the veteran presence continues to carry weight, highlighting both teams' intriguing blend of youth and experience.
Currently, the betting odds suggest this matchup could go over the set total of 6.5 goals, as both teams exhibit potent offensive outputs. Notably, the Penguins have gone over the total 22 times this season, and Columbus has also combined for six-plus goals to win 27 of their 40 games this year. Anticipation surrounding this matchup is tangible as teams look to gain the upper hand heading toward the playoff race.
Both teams face injury challenges, but none listed are expected to play pivotal roles against one another. With no outstanding injuries, the focus will be solely on the roster’s capabilities to perform under pressure.
Mathieu Olivier of the Blue Jackets aptly summed up the current team spirit following their recent win: "We never panicked. We kept doing our thing. We kept pressing on. That’s a big difference this year for our group," as they head toward Pittsburgh. Would this new momentum carry forward to snap their infamous losing streak at this venue? Only time will tell as the teams prepare to clash.
With playoff hopes on the line, this game presents more than just points; it's about pride, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of victory. Every play, every shot, and every save could be the difference. Who will rise to the occasion when the puck drops?