The Metropolitan Division heats up this Sunday afternoon as the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Nationwide Arena to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning as we enter the second half of the 2025-26 NHL season, this matchup carries significant weight. The Penguins are looking to extend their recent hot streak, while the Blue Jackets aim to build momentum after snapping Buffalo’s massive winning streak yesterday.
TV Channels, Streaming Options, and Game Time
For hockey fans looking to catch the action live, here is the broadcast information for Sunday, January 4, 2026.
- Game Time: 3:00 PM EST
- Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
- TV Channels (USA): FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (FDSNOH) for local Columbus viewers and SportsNet Pittsburgh (SN-PIT) for the Penguins market.
- Streaming (USA): The game is available nationally on ESPN+ (NHL Power Play).
- TV Channels (Canada): Fans in Canada can watch the game on Sportsnet One (SN1).
- Streaming (Canada): Available via Sportsnet+ and NHL LIVE.
If you are out of the local viewing areas, ESPN+ is your best bet in the United States, offering high-quality streaming for this afternoon clash.
Team Records, Leading Scorers, and Injury Report
Both teams are coming off impressive victories on Saturday, making this a battle of tired but confident squads.
Pittsburgh Penguins (19-12-9)
The Penguins are rolling, having won their last game 4-1 against the Detroit Red Wings. Sidney Crosby continues to defy Father Time, leading the team with 40 points (21 goals, 19 assists) this season. Bryan Rust has also been a key contributor with 34 points. However, the Pens are dealing with significant injuries; Evgeni Malkin remains out with an upper-body injury, and Caleb Jones is sidelined with a lower-body issue.
Columbus Blue Jackets (18-16-6)
Columbus enters this game with morale high after a stunning 5-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, ending Buffalo’s 10-game winning streak. Their blueline leader Zach Werenski is having a Norris-caliber season, leading the team with 40 points. Forward Kirill Marchenko is also a threat with 31 points. The injury bug has hit Columbus hard, though, with Sean Monahan (undisclosed) and Erik Gudbranson (hip) currently out of the lineup.
Game Prediction and Betting Insight
The current betting odds have Columbus as a -125 favorite, with the Over/Under set at 6.5 goals.
Personally, I think the oddsmakers might be overvaluing Columbus’s home-ice advantage slightly here. While the Blue Jackets had a massive emotional win yesterday against Buffalo, the Penguins have been the more consistent team over the last ten games. I like the Penguins to win on the moneyline (+105). Pittsburgh’s defense has tightened up recently, and with Crosby playing at this level, they are hard to bet against. I also expect a tighter checking game than the 6.5 total suggests, so I would lean toward the Under.
More NHL Action and Hockey Pools
If you are looking for more ways to follow the Pittsburgh Penguins on TV today or check the full Columbus Blue Jackets TV schedule, be sure to bookmark our NHL broadcast guide. We also track the NHL point leaders for the 2025-26 season daily. Don’t forget to join the action yourself—check out our online hockey pool for cash prizes right here on my website to test your knowledge against other fans.
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