Red Light Special: Friday Expert Picks in the NHL
Written by: TonesTakes
Published: Fri Oct 09, 2026, 10:05 am ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
nhl
Back for week 2 of the NHL season after going 4-1 last week for a profit of 3.93 Units. Before we get started, bookmark Our NHL picks page where you'll see more picks from the team. For more information on how to bet on the NHL, take a look at our NHL Betting Guide.
As far as my NHL picks, I look at shot on goal props, but only plus money looks, as the market is very volatile with stat corrections (sometimes days after the game has ended). Also, I'm a totals bettor (team and game). I am never afraid at looking at plus money underdogs. I love providing my insight as to the "Why" and I hope to provide some guidance to novice bettors of this great sport. "Spot" betting is huge on the ice, and this depends on teams travel schedules, goaltending matchups and splits following a win/loss, among may others. It's Freaky Friday in the National Hockey League and for my Friday NHL Best Bets, I am eyeing up the Pittsburgh Penguins vs the Columbus Blue Jackets in a Metropolitan Divisional battle.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets Goaltending Matchup
- Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2) Arturs Silovs (Projected) 2-1, 3.39 GAA/.859 Sv%
- Columbus Blue Jackets (1-1) Jet Greaves (Projected) 1-1, 3.50 GAA/.877 Sv%)
Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jakets Over 6.5 -105 Lucky Rebel
The rested Columbus Blue Jackets host divisional rival Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena, in Columbus. The Blue Jackets have not played since Saturday when they suffered a 4-1 home defeat to the Utah Mammoth. Columbus currently sits at 1-1 on the young season and are on the front half a a back to back as they visit the St. Louis Blues tomorrow. The Pittsburgh Penguins last played on Wednesday night as they suffered a 5-3 defeat to the Washington Capitals, in D.C. Pittsburgh is 2-2 on the young season and are also the front half of a back to back as they host the Dallas Stars tomorrow.
Both of teams have no issue at putting the puck in the net. The Penguins are averaging 4.5 goals per game while the Blue Jackets average 3.5. Both of teams have defensive issues as well. The Penguins are allowing 3.25 goals per game while Columbus is allowing 3.5 goals per game. Columbus is also missing 2 important defenseman in Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro and the Penguins defensive was question mark entering the season and that has not changed. Neither team has gotten reliable goaltending as well.
Historically, this matchup has dynamic potential for offensive explosions. Nine of the last ten Head to Head meetings has seen 7+ goals with an average of 7.6 goals per game. The combination of an aggressive Pittsburgh attack, a shorthanded Columbus defense, and early-season rust on both sides makes the over an attractive look for tonight's game.
Best Bet: Sidney Crosby Over 2.5 SOG +136 Lucky Rebel
Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby has begun the season clearing 3 shots on goal in 2 of his 4 games. He has totaled 12 shots on 19 attempts, average of 3 shots and 4.8 attempts. Sid loves to play the Blue Jackets as he has cleared this mark in 12 of his last 15 games against Columbus. Sid the Kid's attempts are usually not anything to write home about but he is proficient. Crosby loves throwing shots toward the goalie just for the purpose of creating rebounds and does plenty of work around the net. I love the price on him tonight to keep firing pucks in what should be a competitive, back and forth barnburner.
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