Penguins vs Blue Jackets faces high-powered Pittsburgh offense tonight as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lead the charge at Nationwide Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins carry their elite scoring into Columbus for a Black Friday clash. Crosby has 13 goals while Malkin leads the team with 24 points, setting up a thrilling Metropolitan Division battle.
🔥 Quick Facts
Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 13 goals and sits tied for the NHL goal-scoring lead
Evgeni Malkin delivers 24 points for Pittsburgh with 18 assists, anchoring the offense
Pittsburgh ranks 1st in the NHL with a 34.1% power play percentage on the season
The Blue Jackets won their first matchup 5-4 in a shootout on October 25, 2025
Pittsburgh’s Offensive Firepower Tests Columbus Defense
The Penguins arrive at Nationwide Arena with one of the league’s most potent attacks. Sidney Crosby, at age 38, continues defying expectations with sharp performances that rank among the NHL’s elite scorers.
Evgeni Malkin orchestrates the offense from center, distributing chances and creating plays that power Pittsburgh’s attack. The dynamic duo has turned back the clock this season, with both veterans playing at championship-level production.
Key Storylines in Tonight’s Black Friday Matchup
The Blue Jackets look to avenge their earlier shootout loss while dealing with a three-game skid heading into this contest. Columbus knows stopping the Crosby-Malkin pipeline is essential to earning points in this divisional battle.
Pittsburgh’s power play, ranked 1st in the entire league at 34.1%, poses a constant danger. If the Blue Jackets take penalties, the Penguins could quickly capitalize with their elite special teams unit.
Matchup Preview: Which Team Controls the Pace?
Category
Pittsburgh Penguins
Columbus Blue Jackets
Record
11-6-5 (27 points)
11-9-4 (26 points)
Top Scorer
Crosby (13 goals)
Fantilli (Top goal scorer)
Power Play %
34.1% (1st NHL)
31.4% (1st NHL)
Home Record
5-3-3
5-3-2 at home
Metropolitan Division Implications for Both Squads
Pittsburgh sits fifth in the Metropolitan Division with 27 points, just one point ahead of Columbus. A victory tonight would provide crucial separation as both teams battle for playoff positioning.
The Penguins have scored three or more goals in 22 of their last 28 games against Columbus, showcasing their ability to generate consistent offensive pressure. If that trend continues tonight, the Blue Jackets’ 2.79 goals per game average may prove insufficient.
Can Columbus Stop the Crosby-Malkin Express Tonight?
This matchup hinges on whether Columbus can contain two future Hall of Famers playing at championship-level production. Crosby has already set the NHL pace for goals, while Malkin‘s assist total ranks among the league’s best.
The Blue Jackets must stay disciplined to avoid playing penalty kill against the league’s top power play unit. Defensive execution and limiting turnovers become critical factors if Columbus hopes to upset Pittsburgh in this Black Friday showdown.
Sources
NHL.com – Official game preview and player statistics
ESPN Sports – Team records and matchup analysis
Yahoo Sports – Power play percentages and division standings
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.