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Columbus (3-3-0) at Pittsburgh (6-2-0)
- When: Oct 25 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- TV: SportsNet PT
Columbus vs Pittsburgh NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Pittsburgh -120
Spread: Pittsburgh -1.5 (+210)
Total: 6.5
The Penguins are surging, Sidney Crosby is rewriting the record book again, and the Blue Jackets are just trying to hang around long enough to avoid becoming the next victim. Saturday’s matchup in Pittsburgh has all the makings of a trap game if only Columbus had the weapons to spring it.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Outlook
The Penguins are playing their best hockey of the young season, riding a four-game win streak fueled by none other than Sidney Crosby, who looks like he’s time-traveling from his 2016 prime. With nine points (five goals, four assists) in his last five games, Crosby is just two shy of joining the elusive 1,700-point club, a feat only eight players in NHL history have reached.
Crosby is surrounded by a rejuvenated supporting cast: Rickard Rakell has rediscovered his scoring touch, Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson are creating offense from every angle, and Tristan Jarry looks locked in between the pipes. The Penguins are also getting unexpected depth scoring from guys like Connor Dewar and Ben Kindel, giving this team a dangerous balance they lacked last season.
First-year head coach Dan Muse has his group firing on all cylinders, and while Pittsburgh’s defense still gives up some high-danger chances, their puck possession and forechecking are suffocating teams early.
Player Prop Pick – Sidney Crosby: To Record 2+ Points (+125) – Crosby’s current streak makes this a no-brainer. He’s hit this mark in three straight games and faces a tired Columbus defense.
Columbus Blue Jackets Analysis
Columbus enters this one on the second leg of a back-to-back after getting flattened 5-1 by Washington. Despite outshooting the Capitals through two periods, defensive lapses and shaky goaltending from Jet Greaves sank them.
The Blue Jackets did get a bright spot from rookie Denton Mateychuk, who scored their lone goal and continues to be one of the few consistent sparks in the lineup. However, offensive execution remains a major issue — Columbus often controls play early but fails to finish scoring chances.
Defensively, the return of Erik Gudbranson brings some stability, but his presence won’t fix a blue line that’s struggled against speed and puck movement, exactly what Pittsburgh thrives on.
Player Prop Pick – Boone Jenner: Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-130) – Jenner leads the team in attempts and will be leaned on heavily to generate offense against Jarry.
NHL Expert Prediction and Final Score
The Penguins’ offense is clicking, and Crosby is chasing history. Expect Pittsburgh to jump ahead early and control tempo throughout. Columbus will show some push early, but Pittsburgh’s depth and relentless forecheck should wear them down quickly. The Blue Jackets are outmatched on both ends.
Crosby’s milestone chase continues, the Penguins stay hot, and Columbus leaves wondering what hit them.
Score Prediction: Penguins 5, Jackets 2
Pick: Pittsburgh -1.5 (+210)
Total: Over 6.5 (-112)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
