The NHL schedule on Sunday includes a matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets (18-16-6) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (19-12-9), starting at 3 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena and broadcast on ESPN+. The Blue Jackets are 16th in the Eastern Conference (42 points), and the Penguins are eighth in the Eastern Conference (47 points).
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Blue Jackets vs. Penguins: Jan. 4 Viewing Options
- Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- How to watch on TV: ESPN+
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Venue: Nationwide Arena
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
Blue Jackets' 2025-26 Stats
| Stat | Per-Game Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 2.98 | 20th |
| Goals Allowed | 3.28 | 25th |
| Shots | 30 | 4th |
| Shots Allowed | 30.6 | 30th |
| Power Play % | 18.45% | 20th |
| Penalty Kill % | 76.11% | 28th |
Penguins' 2025-26 Stats
| Stat | Per-Game Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 3.23 | 10th |
| Goals Allowed | 3.05 | 15th |
| Shots | 28.5 | 12th |
| Shots Allowed | 27.9 | 16th |
| Power Play % | 29.63% | 3rd |
| Penalty Kill % | 81.51% | 11th |
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Blue Jackets vs. Penguins Top Players
Blue Jackets
- Zachary Werenski is one of Columbus' top contributors this season with 42 points. He has averaged 0.4 goals per game, shooting 10.3%.
- With 14 goals and 17 assists, Kirill Marchenko is one of the top offensive options for Columbus with his 31 points (0.8 per game).
- Through 40 games, Dmitri Voronkov has proven himself as a scoring option for Columbus. He has 26 points (14 goals and 12 assists).
- As Columbus' top goalie, Jet Greaves has recorded 12 wins and 10 losses this season while allowing 69 goals with 707 saves.
Penguins
- Sidney Crosby's 23 goals and 22 assists in 40 games for Pittsburgh add up to 45 total points on the season.
- Bryan Rust is a key piece of the offense for Pittsburgh with 36 total points this season. He has scored 16 goals and added 20 assists in 38 games.
- Erik Karlsson has posted three goals on the season, adding 27 assists.
- Stuart Skinner is 13-11-4 on the season, allowing 76 goals (2.8 goals against average) and amassing 599 saves with an .887 save percentage (49th in the league).
Blue Jackets vs. Penguins Injury Report
Blue Jackets
Erik Gudbranson: Out (Hip),
Isac Lundestrom: Out (Undisclosed),
Miles Wood: Out (Leg),
Brendan Smith: Out (Leg),
Sean Monahan: Day-To-Day (Undisclosed)
Penguins
Tanner Howe: Out (Acl ),
Caleb Jones: Out (Lower Body),
Evgeni Malkin: Out (Upper Body),
Filip Hallander: Out (Leg)
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Blue Jackets' Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/29/2025 | Senators | W 4-1 | Away |
| 12/31/2025 | Devils | L 3-2 | Home |
| 1/3/2026 | Sabres | W 5-1 | Home |
| 1/4/2026 | Penguins | - | Home |
| 1/6/2026 | Sharks | - | Away |
| 1/8/2026 | Golden Knights | - | Away |
| 1/10/2026 | Avalanche | - | Away |
Penguins' Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/30/2025 | Hurricanes | W 5-1 | Home |
| 1/1/2026 | Red Wings | W 4-3 | Home |
| 1/3/2026 | Red Wings | W 4-1 | Away |
| 1/4/2026 | Blue Jackets | - | Away |
| 1/8/2026 | Devils | - | Home |
| 1/10/2026 | Flames | - | Home |
| 1/11/2026 | Bruins | - | Away |