Blue Jackets vs. Penguins: Game Preview and Projected Lineups (Jan 17, 2026)

5 months agoUS
Blue Jackets vs. Penguins: Game Preview and Projected Lineups (Jan 17, 2026)Source: nhl.com
A look at the upcoming matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 17, 2026. This game marks the last meeting between the two teams this season, with all previous encounters going to overtime. The Penguins are on a strong run against division opponents and are currently holding a playoff spot.

Key Insights

The Penguins have dominated the Blue Jackets recently, holding points in 18 of their last 19 games and an active 18-game home point streak against them.

Sidney Crosby has an impressive record against the Blue Jackets, with 69 points in 48 career games.

The Penguins’ special teams have been excelling, with a strong penalty kill and a high-ranked power play.

Columbus has been performing well recently due to a coaching change, with Rick Bowness now leading the team.

In-Depth Analysis

The Pittsburgh Penguins (22-14-10) are set to face the Columbus Blue Jackets (21-19-7) at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins are coming off a strong offensive performance, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3, while the Blue Jackets have won three straight games under new coach Rick Bowness.

Penguins:

The Penguins have been particularly strong against the Blue Jackets, showcasing a long-standing dominance. Sidney Crosby continues to be a key player, and the team’s special teams have been a significant advantage. Egor Chinakhov has also made a strong impact since joining the Penguins.

Blue Jackets:

The Blue Jackets have seen a resurgence with the appointment of Rick Bowness as coach. Despite statistical challenges in holding leads, the team has shown improvement, securing wins against the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. The team will potentially miss defenseman Denton Mateychuk.

Projected Lineups:

*Penguins*

Rickard Rakell - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust

Egor Chinakhov - Tommy Novak - Evgeni Malkin

Anthony Mantha - Ben Kindel - Justin Brazeau

Connor Dewar - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari

*Blue Jackets*

Cole Sillinger - Adam Fantilli - Kirill Marchenko

Boone Jenner - Sean Monahan - Kent Johnson

Dmitri Voronkov - Charlie Coyle - Mathieu Olivier

Zach Aston-Reese - Brendan Gaunce - Mikael Pyyhtia

FAQs

Q: What is the Penguins’ record against the Blue Jackets?

The Penguins have points in 18 of their last 19 games against the Blue Jackets.

Q: Where do the Penguins and Blue Jackets rank in holding leads?

Both teams are statistically among the worst in holding leads. The Penguins are 15-2-4, and Columbus is 13-1-5 when leading after two periods.

Q: What are the special teams rankings for both teams?

The Penguins’ power play is ranked 2nd (29.4%), and their penalty kill is ranked 6th (83.2%). The Blue Jackets’ power play is ranked 17th (20.3%), and their penalty kill is ranked 29th (74.2%).

Key Takeaways

The Penguins have a historical advantage over the Blue Jackets, especially at home.

Sidney Crosby’s performance against the Blue Jackets is a key factor to watch.

The Blue Jackets have shown recent improvements due to a coaching change, making them a potentially tougher opponent.

Special teams play will be crucial, with the Penguins having a significant advantage.

Discussion

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