Blue Jackets vs Penguins Prediction NHL Picks for Today 4/13

© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Penguins vs. Blue Jackets - NHL Picks, Predictions, and Expert Analysis

Get ready for an exciting matchup as the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 13, 2023, at 7 p.m. EDT. The Penguins, currently the fifth seed in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 40-31-10, will battle it out against the Blue Jackets, who currently hold the bottom spot in the division with a record of 24-47-9. The Blue Jackets will be looking to snap their four-game losing streak, which includes a previous 6-3 loss to the Penguins. However, the Blue Jackets have gone 24-8-5 in games they score three or more goals, and with top scorer Patrik Laine leading the team with 22 goals and 30 assists, they may have a chance to turn things around. On the other hand, the Penguins have been performing well lately, going 5-5-0 in their last ten games and averaging 3.1 goals per game. With Sidney Crosby leading the team with 33 goals and 58 assists and Evgeni Malkin adding three goals and six assists in the past ten games, the Penguins are a force to be reckoned with. So, who will come out on top in this matchup? NHL picks experts, computer predictions, and NHL experts picks today are all pointing towards a Penguins victory. However, with nhl picks and parlays, nhl picks odds, and nhl picks with spread constantly changing, it's anyone's guess. Make sure to tune in to catch all the action and find out the best nhl bets today as the Penguins and Blue Jackets battle it out on the ice.

Penguins: Offensive Analysis

When it comes to the offensive game, the Penguins have a definite edge over the struggling Blue Jackets. Led by superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins have been averaging 3.1 goals per game over their last 10 games, with 5.2 assists to back them up. They have also been penalty-killers, with an 8-7-6 record against teams that commit fewer penalties. In comparison, the Blue Jackets have been struggling offensively, only averaging two goals per game over their last 10 games. Patrik Laine may be their leading scorer with 22 goals and 30 assists, but he is out with a triceps injury. Eric Robinson has been making some noise lately, but not enough to make up for the lack of production from the rest of the team. So, when it comes to NHL picks and predictions, the experts and computers will likely favor the Penguins to come out on top. NHL picks and parlays may also favor the Penguins, especially if they can maintain their offensive momentum against the Blue Jackets. Overall, the Penguins have the better offensive game going into this matchup, and it will likely show on the ice. The best NHL bets today may be placed in favor of the Penguins, and they may even cover the spread.

Penguins: Defensive Analysis

The Penguins have had a solid defensive performance this season, allowing an average of 2.8 goals per game. They have been able to keep their opponents' scoring opportunities to a minimum with an average of 28 shots allowed per game. The team has also been effective on special teams, with a penalty-killing percentage of 79.6% and a power-play percentage of 19.9%. One key factor for the Penguins' success on defense has been their depth on the blue line. They have a solid group of defensemen who can play both ends of the ice and contribute offensively. Kris Letang has been a leader for the team, with 9 goals and 39 assists this season. Brian Dumoulin and John Marino have also been reliable on the back end, providing strong defensive play and helping to limit the opposition's scoring chances. In net, the Penguins have relied on Tristan Jarry, who has posted a 2.73 GAA and a .908 save percentage this season. Jarry has been a consistent presence for the team and has made some key saves to keep them in games. Going into their matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Penguins will need to continue their strong defensive play. The Blue Jackets have struggled to score goals this season, but they have some talented forwards who can break out at any time. The Penguins will need to stay disciplined and limit their opponents' scoring chances. Overall, the Penguins have the defensive depth and talent to shut down their opponents and give their team a chance to win. Their defensive play will be critical in their quest to make a playoff push and secure a spot in the postseason.

Blue Jackets: Offense Analysis

The Columbus Blue Jackets are coming into their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a four-game losing streak. One of the reasons behind their poor performance is their struggling offense. The Blue Jackets have gone 24-8-5 in games where they score three or more goals. However, in their last 10 games, they're only averaging two goals per game and giving up 4.8 goals per game. This poor offensive performance can be attributed to the absence of several key players due to injuries, including Patrik Laine, who has scored 22 goals this season. Looking at the NHL picks and predictions, experts and computer picks are favoring the Penguins to win this game. This is not surprising given the current form of both teams. The Penguins have a strong offense with players like Sidney Crosby, who has scored 33 goals this season, and Evgeni Malkin, who has been in good form lately with three goals and six assists over the past 10 games. Considering the best NHL bets today and the NHL picks with spread, it seems that the Penguins are the clear favorites for this game. The Blue Jackets’ lack of offensive firepower and their recent losing streak make them an easy target for the Penguins. The Penguins have already won three games against the Blue Jackets this season, and they will be looking to make it a fourth in this match. To sum it up, the Blue Jackets need to improve their offensive performance if they want to stand a chance against the Penguins. However, with several key players out due to injuries, this might be a tough task. As for the NHL picks and parlays, it's best to go with the Penguins for this game, who are likely to win comfortably.

Blue Jackets: Defensive Analysis

The Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled defensively during their current four-game losing streak, allowing an average of 4.8 goals per game over their last 10 games. However, the Blue Jackets have shown the ability to limit opponents when they are playing at their best. In order for the Blue Jackets to have success defensively against the Penguins, they will need to focus on limiting the offensive opportunities of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. These two players have been the catalyst for the Penguins' offense this season, with a combined 91 points between them. The Blue Jackets will also need strong goaltending from Joonas Korpisalo, who has a .905 save percentage and a 3.24 goals against average this season. Korpisalo has been inconsistent at times this season, but he has the ability to steal games when he is playing at his best. The Blue Jackets will also need to clean up their penalty kill, which has been a weakness for them this season. They have allowed a power-play goal in each of their last three games and have a penalty kill percentage of just 77.1% this season. Overall, the Blue Jackets will need to focus on limiting the offensive opportunities of the Penguins and getting strong goaltending from Korpisalo in order to have success defensively in this game. 

Injury Report

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to face each other in what could be an exciting game. However, both teams have a number of injuries that could impact their performance. For the Blue Jackets, Mathieu Olivier, Nick Blankenburg, Zach Werenski, Jesse Gabrielle, Boone Jenner, Jake Bean, Justin Danforth, Patrik Laine, Elvis Merzlikins, Lane Pederson, and Erik Gudbranson are all out due to various injuries. Meanwhile, Eric Robinson is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury. On the other hand, the Penguins will be without Marcus Pettersson, Nick Bonino, and Dmitry Kulikov due to undisclosed reasons, kidney issues, and a lower body injury, respectively. Drew O'Connor is also day-to-day with an upper body injury. These injuries could impact both teams, with key players missing from the lineup. It is important for both teams to have a backup plan and adjust their strategies accordingly. Experts and computer-generated NHL picks and predictions should take these injuries into consideration when making their NHL picks and parlays. Overall, the injury report for both teams is significant, and it will be interesting to see how they handle it in the upcoming game. It is important for the coaches to work with what they have and hope their players can step up to fill the void left by their injured teammates. 

Prediction