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Blue Jackets vs. Penguins prediction: Why Pittsburgh is favored to win Saturday's NHL matchup [1/17/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Columbus Blue Jackets vs Pittsburgh Penguins predictions for NHL Saturday.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the Columbus Blue Jackets, in what is expected to be a tight NHL game, at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday, commencing at 7:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model gives the Penguins a slight edge with a 54% win probability over the Blue Jackets.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Saturday's Blue Jackets vs. Penguins matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Blue Jackets vs. Penguins prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Saturday's NHL game between the Blue Jackets and Penguins 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Penguins a 54% chance of defeating the Blue Jackets.
According to our model, the Blue Jackets (+1.5) have a 68% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 6.5 goals has a 52% chance of staying under.
Blue Jackets vs. Penguins odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Blue Jackets | Penguins |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-225) | -1.5 (+190) |
| Moneyline | +106 | -125 |
| Total | o6.5 (-110) | u6.5 (-102) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Blue Jackets vs. Penguins picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Blue Jackets +1.5 | -225 |
| Moneyline | Penguins | -125 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | -102 |
According to our best NHL bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.
Blue Jackets vs. Penguins player props
Who will score a goal in Blue Jackets vs. Penguins?
According to our model, Sidney Crosby is most likely to score an anytime goal in Blue Jackets vs. Penguins.
Our projections give Crosby a 38.0% chance of scoring a goal at PPG Paints Arena, while the star is a 7.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Marchenko | 29.6% |
| Adam Fantilli | 29.1% |
| Zach Werenski | 27.2% |
| Boone Jenner | 22.8% |
| Dmitri Voronkov | 22.8% |
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | 38.0% |
| Bryan Rust | 36.5% |
| Rickard Rakell | 31.1% |
| Evgeni Malkin | 26.9% |
| Thomas Novak | 21.5% |
First goal scorer predictions
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Kirill Marchenko | 6.1% |
| Adam Fantilli | 5.4% |
| Zach Werenski | 4.8% |
| Dmitri Voronkov | 4.2% |
| Kent Johnson | 3.8% |
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | 7.6% |
| Bryan Rust | 7.0% |
| Rickard Rakell | 5.9% |
| Evgeni Malkin | 5.0% |
| Thomas Novak | 3.8% |
Blue Jackets vs. Penguins game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's game between the Penguins and Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: PPG Paints Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Penguins, with a 54% win probability, will likely beat the Blue Jackets on Saturday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Blue Jackets vs. Penguins insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are sourced from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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