With just one game on our NHL card tonight, we have chosen to go for two player props, with both picks coming in at plus-money NHL betting odds.
Sidney Crosby has been outstanding for the Penguins this season, remaining a consistent force despite the team’s overall struggles. Tonight, we expect him to record 2+ points for the first time in two games.
Meanwhile, we’re looking at the Blue Jackets’ leading goal scorer, Kirill Marchenko, to find the back of the net for the first time in four games.
Picks Summary
- Sidney Crosby Over 1.5 Points (+120)
- Kirill Marchenko Anytime Goalscorer (+150)
*All odds from Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Friday, March 21, 2025 – 07:00 PM EDT at PPG Paints Arena
Sid the Kid to Stay Hot on Home Ice
Despite their struggles this season, career-long Penguins player Sidney Crosby has proven to be their best player yet again this season with 74 points in 68 games, with their second-highest scorer only bagging 49 points in 69 games.
Not bad for a 37-year-old. Crosby’s form has not dropped throughout his career. Obviously, he is not scoring 100+ points, either, but he has always been consistent and has only had three 60-or less-point seasons throughout his 20-year career. Crosby has had back-to-back 90+ point seasons and should hit at least 80 points this season.
Crosby is currently the 13th-highest points scorer in the NHL and is currently the oldest inside the top 15, with the second oldest being five years his junior.
The Pick
Sidney Crosby has had at least 1 point in 90% of his previous 10 games and has scored 2+ points in 40% of those games.
Tonight, against a defense as weak as Columbus’ (and on home ice), we are more than happy to take the plus money on Crosby to score over 1.5 points in tonight’s matchup, considering he scored 3 in a row prior to only scoring 1 point in his last two outings.
NHL Pick: Sidney Crosby Over 1.5 Points (+120) at Bet365
Marchenko Will Get Chances to Score Against Penguins
Although Kirill Marchenko (Columbus’ top-goalscorer this season) has failed to score in his previous three games, and only scored once in his previous eight outings, we believe tonight is the perfect opportunity for the 24-year-old Russian to get back on the scoreboard.
Despite the Columbus Blue Jackets distributing their goals among five players with 20 or more goals and eight players reaching double digits (plus another seven with at least five goals), Kirill Marchenko has led the team in scoring with 25 goals. Marchenko also finished last season as the Blue Jackets top goalscorer and the previous season he had scored the 3rd highest.
We believe the Russian winger will get plenty of chances to get back on the scoreboard against the Pittsburgh Penguins. We expect this to be a high-scoring affair from both teams.
The Pick
Marchenko may have only scored two goals in his last eight games against the Penguins, but most of those Pittsburgh teams were much stronger defensively. Considering how long it’s been since he last found the back of the net, this could be a favorable opportunity for him.
The top-rated sportsbooks have Marchenko as low as +150 to score tonight, which we believe is a strong value bet, all things considered.
NHL Pick: Kirill Marchenko Anytime Goalscorer (+150) at Bet365
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
