Gameday #8: Can we buy a goal?

Saturday, October 25, 2025 – 7:00 PM ET
PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
TV: FDSNOH; Radio: 97.1 FM

Columbus Blue Jackets (3-4-0, 6 points, 8th Metro, 14th East)

at

Pittsburgh Penguins (6-2-0, 12 points, 3rd Metro, 3rd East)

Previously

Last night’s home game against the Washington Capitals was, in Dean Evason’s words, “frustrating as hell.” There was some questionable officiating, but the bigger story is yet another game where the Jackets asserted themselves in stretches but couldn’t get the puck across the line. Logan Thompson was incredible. I believe we got “goalied” but it has happened enough times now that pretty soon it becomes more than just bad luck, and instead becomes an Actual Problem. The key will be to not try to force anything. Don’t grip the sticks too tightly. Just play the game and pray that the bounces go our way soon.

On the positive side, Denton Mateychuk is becoming A Dude.

Player to Watch

Sidney Crosby

I love to rip on Crosby because of how many times he’s broken our hearts. But…it’s worth taking a beat to note what a phenomenal player he is. We’re watching a true all-time great and should be grateful to witness a player like him. Go back two decades and he entered the league scoring 102 points as an 18 year old. Since then, now entering his TWENTY-FIRST season, he has never had a season where he scored below a point per game. He’s now 38 and has 11 points through his first 8 games. Ho hum.

The Other Bench

As an aging roster that missed the postseason by a lot last year, not much was expected out of the Pens this year. Instead, they have shot out to a 6-2-0 record and most recently scored a road win over the Florida Panthers. Those old dogs still have some old tricks in them, with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the way again. This is another opponent getting good goaltending (uh-oh) but they’re a way worse possession team than Washington, so hopefully the Jackets can bring the pace they did last night.

Season Series

10/25/25 CBJ @ PIT
11/28/25 PIT @ CBJ
01/04/26 PIT @ CBJ
01/17/26 CBJ @ PIT

Stats

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Pittsburgh Penguins