The Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Friday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. The Columbus Blue Jackets need a win after losing five of their last seven games. The Pittsburgh Penguins look for a win after splitting their last eight games.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.1 goals per game and are scoring on 18 percent of their power play opportunities. Patrik Laine leads Columbus with 26 goals, Jakub Voracek has 54 assists and Zach Werenski has 216 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.6 goals per game and are killing 78.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Elvis Merzlikins has allowed 174 goals on 1,851 shots faced, and Joonas Korpisalo has allowed 78 goals on 634 shots.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.3 goals per game and are scoring on 20.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Jake Guentzel leads Pittsburgh with 37 goals, Kris Letang has 55 assists and Evan Rodriguez has 232 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 2.7 goals per game and are killing 86.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 138 goals on 1,711 shots faced, and Casey DeSmith has allowed 57 goals on 615 shots.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won eight of the last 10 meetings against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and that includes outscoring them 13-5 in the last three meetings. The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to pile up the losses, and they’re likely looking forward to their vacation after this contest. The Penguins also need a win as they’re fighting for better playoff position still. Give me the Penguins and the PL at home for max betting value.