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Penguins vs. Blue Jackets prediction: Why Columbus is favored to win Sunday's NHL matchup [1/4/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Ryan Leaver, Senior Sports and Betting Editor
Get Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets predictions for NHL Sunday.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will square off with the Pittsburgh Penguins, in what is expected to be a tight NHL game, at Nationwide Arena on Sunday, starting at 3:00 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers' proven NHL model gives the Blue Jackets a slight edge with a 54% win probability over the Penguins.
This article offers a closer look at Sunday's Penguins vs. Blue Jackets matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Penguins vs. Blue Jackets prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the result of Sunday's NHL matchup between the Penguins and Blue Jackets 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model gives the Blue Jackets a 54% chance of beating the Penguins.
According to our model, the Penguins (+1.5) have a 67% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6.5-goal over/under has a 52% chance of staying under.
Penguins vs. Blue Jackets odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Penguins | Blue Jackets |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-210) | -1.5 (+180) |
| Moneyline | +112 | -130 |
| Total | o6.5 (-115) | u6.5 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Penguins vs. Blue Jackets picks and best bet
After matching our probabilities against the best current 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 | Penguins +1.5 | -210 |
| Moneyline | Penguins | +112 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | -105 |
According to our best NHL bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 6.5 total goals.
Penguins vs. Blue Jackets player props
Who will score a goal in Penguins vs. Blue Jackets?
According to our model, Sidney Crosby is most likely to score an anytime goal in Penguins vs. Blue Jackets.
Our projections give Crosby a 34.1% chance of scoring a goal at Nationwide Arena, while the star is a 6.6% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | 34.1% |
| Bryan Rust | 32.7% |
| Rickard Rakell | 29.2% |
| Thomas Novak | 25.8% |
| Anthony Mantha | 25.7% |
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Adam Fantilli | 33.1% |
| Kirill Marchenko | 32.0% |
| Mason Marchment | 29.7% |
| Zach Werenski | 24.1% |
| Dmitri Voronkov | 23.3% |
First goal scorer predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sidney Crosby | 6.6% |
| Rickard Rakell | 6.1% |
| Bryan Rust | 5.9% |
| Anthony Mantha | 4.7% |
| Thomas Novak | 4.5% |
Columbus Blue Jackets
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Adam Fantilli | 6.2% |
| Kirill Marchenko | 5.7% |
| Mason Marchment | 5.4% |
| Dmitri Voronkov | 4.1% |
| Zach Werenski | 4.0% |
Penguins vs. Blue Jackets game-day updates and essential details
Sunday's matchup between the Blue Jackets and Penguins at Nationwide Arena is scheduled to commence at 3:00 PM ET.
- Who: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
- Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM ET/12:00PM PT
- Venue: Nationwide Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Blue Jackets, with a 54% win probability, will likely beat the Penguins on Sunday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Penguins vs. Blue Jackets insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn 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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Ryan Leaver uses advanced statistical models and simulations to predict outcomes and provide predictions for the NBA, NFL, college football, college basketball, and soccer. He offers detailed game previews, best bets, props, and futures articles.
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