The lone action in the NHL tonight comes from PPG Paints Arena, with the floundering Columbus Blue Jackets visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Columbus has dropped seven of its past eight to fall out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, and my Blue Jackets vs. Penguins predictions expect Pittsburgh winger Rickard Rakell to start the weekend off in style.
Read more in my NHL picks for Friday, March 21.
Blue Jackets vs Penguins prediction
My best bet: Rickard Rakell Over 2.5 shots (+105 at bet365)
My analysis
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell has totaled just five shots on 18 attempts across his past five games, and I’m expecting statistical correction to kick against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The veteran winger converted 51.1% of his attempts into shots through the first 64 games of the year, recording three or more shots in 28 of those contests.
Rakell has also driven five-on-five possession with a 53.4 Corsi For percentage, and he’s clicked with Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby for a 54.2% mark across 861:37 of shared 5-on-5 time. Rakell also ranks in the 91st percentile of forwards in shots on goal for the campaign.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are hitting the road for the second leg of a back-to-back after falling 1-0 to the Florida Panthers on home ice Thursday. Columbus is reeling, having gone 1-6-1 over its last eight games.
The Blue Jackets have allowed the sixth-most shots per game (29.6) during the stretch. Columbus has also spent the seventh-most time per game shorthanded during this run, so I expect Rakell to have an abundance of shooting opportunities tonight.
Blue Jackets vs Penguins same-game parlay (SGP)
Rickard Rackell Over 2.5 shots
Over 5.5
Penguins moneyline
The Penguins and Blue Jackets have respectively allowed the second- and sixth-most goals per game, each holding long-standing trends to the Over.
Columbus is also likely to turn to backup netminder Daniil Tarasov tonight. He sports a disastrous .881 SV%, 3.52 GAA, and -0.36 goals saved above average per 60 minutes across his 17 appearances this season.
Pittsburgh starter Alex Nedeljkovic hasn’t been better by leaps and bounds, but he holds an 8-4-2 record on home ice with a .896 SV%. The Pens are also playing with pride and have won four of their past five.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Blue Jackets vs Penguins odds
Blue Jackets vs Penguins live odds
Blue Jackets vs Penguins opening odds
- Puck line: Columbus +1.5 (-225) | Pittsburgh -1.5 (+185)
- Moneyline: Columbus +110 | Pittsburgh -130
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-115) | Under 6 (-105)
Blue Jackets vs Penguins trend
Pittsburgh has hit the game total Over in 24 of its 42 games at home (+6.85 Units / 14% ROI), while Columbus has done so in 44 of its last 81 games (+7.50 Units / 8% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Blue Jackets vs. Penguins.
How to watch Blue Jackets vs Penguins
| Location | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date | Friday, 3-21-2025 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | NHLN |
Blue Jackets vs Penguins latest injuries
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