Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 1/17/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

The Columbus Blue Jackets (20-19-7) are headed to PPG Paints Arena on Saturday where they will try to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (21-14-10).

The Columbus Blue Jackets came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 5-3 victory against the Flames in their previous contest . Columbus accrued 11 mins in the box in this contest. In addition, they had 4 power play attempts and were able to net 1 goal. The Blue Jackets had a solid offensive output and it showed in the win. For the game, they earned a goal on 5 of the 43 shots they tried.

Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 130 power play opportunities (22nd in pro hockey) and have come away with 33 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets have had 1,423 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .891. Columbus has tried 1,406 shots and has a shot percentage of 9.7%. When at even strength, the Blue Jackets have surrendered 122 goals while scoring 114 of their own. Columbus has accumulated 116 power play opportunities and they have notched 22 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 18.97%. For the year, they have recorded 47 points and their points percentage is sitting at .511. In relation to their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched 136 goals (20th in the league) on the campaign and have allowed 155.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Jet Greaves. Opponents have scored 141 goals versus Greaves in his NHL career and his goals against average per contest is 2.76. Greaves has played in 53 contests over the course of his NHL career. His save percentage is at .915 for his 1,193 mins on the ice. He has accumulated a record of 24-21-8 and he has gotten the start in 51 games. For his professional hockey career, Greaves has 34 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .667. Greaves has had 1,657 shot attempts against him and has amassed 1,516 total saves.

In their last contest, Pittsburgh went up against the Lightning in an outing where the Penguins got the tie by a tally of 1-1. They had 3 chances on the power play in this one but weren't able to score a goal. The Penguins notched 1 goal of the 27 shots on goal they tried.

For the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have accumulated 140 goals, 52 points, and a points percentage of .578. They have allowed 131 goals to be scored by of a combination of 108 goals at even strength and 23 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Penguins have earned 106 goals at even strength and 34 goals (8th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have a tally of 122 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 27.87%. Pittsburgh has taken 1,297 shots (15th in hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.79%, while allowing the other team 1,242 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 82.71% on their oppositions 133 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 89.5%.

For the opposition you will find Stuart Skinner protecting the net. His opponents are averaging 2.69 goals per game and he has conceded 533 goals in total. Skinner's quality start percentage sits at 55.1% and he has qualified for 109 quality starts in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 198 games and his ice time sits at 9,294 mins. Skinner has accrued a career mark of 112-66-18 and has participated in 204 games. He has recorded 5,015 saves out of the 5,548 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save percentage of .904.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Columbus

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