Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 3/7/2023

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Where to watch: BSOH, ATTSN-PT

DraftKings: Penguins -310, Blue Jackets +245

FanDuel: Penguins -310, Blue Jackets +245

BetMGM: Penguins -310, Blue Jackets +245

Caesars: Penguins -310, Blue Jackets +245

Blue Jackets: 20-37-6

Penguins: 31-22-9

The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!

The Columbus Blue Jackets will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in what promises to be an exciting NHL matchup on March 7, 2023. The game will take place at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm EST.

 

Both teams will enter this game with different expectations and motivations. The Blue Jackets, currently sitting in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference standings, will be looking to salvage their season with a win against a tough opponent. The Penguins, on the other hand, are expected to be one of the top teams in the conference and will be looking to continue their strong play and make a push towards the playoffs.

 

The Blue Jackets will be led by their captain, Boone Jenner, who has been one of their most consistent players this season. Jenner has been a force on both ends of the ice, scoring timely goals while also contributing on the defensive end. He will need to be at his best against the high-powered Penguins offense, which boasts stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

 

Another player to watch for the Blue Jackets will be goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, who has shown flashes of brilliance this season. Merzlikins has been instrumental in some of the Blue Jackets' wins this season and will need to be on top of his game if they hope to keep the Penguins at bay.

 

The Penguins, meanwhile, will look to their superstar center Sidney Crosby to lead the charge. Crosby has been one of the best players in the league for over a decade and shows no signs of slowing down. He has been a point-per-game player this season and will be looking to add to his impressive career stats against the Blue Jackets.

 

The Penguins will also rely on their depth to carry them through this game. Wingers Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust have been productive this season and will be looking to continue their strong play. Additionally, the Penguins' defense has been solid, led by Kris Letang and John Marino, who have been a reliable pairing for the team.

 

As with any game, special teams will be a key factor in the outcome. The Penguins have a strong power play, which is currently ranked second in the league. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have struggled on the penalty kill, ranking near the bottom of the league. If the Blue Jackets want to win, they will need to stay out of the penalty box and limit the Penguins' opportunities on the man advantage.

 

Overall, this game promises to be a thrilling matchup between two talented teams. The Penguins will be the favorites, but the Blue Jackets will be looking to play spoiler and pull off an upset. With so much on the line, fans can expect an intense and exciting game of hockey.

Penguins 5, Blue Jackets 2

Bleu Jackets:

Johnny Gaudreau -- Boone Jenner -- Kirill Marchenko

Kent Johnson -- Jack Roslovic -- Patrik Laine

Eric Robinson -- Lane Pederson -- Mathieu Olivier

Liam Foudy -- Cole Sillinger -- Emil Bemstrom

Tim Berni -- Erik Gudbranson

Nick Blankenburg -- Andrew Peeke

Gavin Bayreuther -- Adam Boqvist

Michael Hutchinson

Penguins:

Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Rickard Rakell

Jason Zucker -- Evgeni Malkin -- Bryan Rust

Mikael Granlund -- Jeff Carter -- Danton Heinen

Drew O'Connor -- Nick Bonino -- Josh Archibald

Brian Dumoulin -- Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson -- Jeff Petry

Dmitry Kulikov -- Jan Rutta

Tristan Jarry