The Columbus Blue Jackets (37-22-11) and Philadelphia Flyers (34-23-12) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EDT at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Blue Jackets are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-128o / +104u). The Blue Jackets are a -137 favorite to win outright, while the Flyers are +114 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Blue Jackets vs. Flyers predictions and NHL picks.
Blue Jackets vs. Flyers Odds, Pick
| Blue Jackets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +172 | 5.5 -128o / 104u | -137 |
| Flyers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -215 | 5.5 -128o / 104u | +114 |
- Blue Jackets vs. Flyers Spread: Blue Jackets -1.5 (+172), Flyers +1.5 (-215)
- Blue Jackets vs. Flyers Over/Under: 5.5 (-128o / +104u)
- Blue Jackets vs. Flyers Moneyline: Blue Jackets -137, Flyers +114
Blue Jackets vs. Flyers Preview
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets just keep climbing up the Metropolitan Division standings.
Columbus sits third, as a result of holding a game in hand over the Islanders, and continues to be a pleasant surprise in the Eastern Conference.
Its 12-game point streak finally snapped Sunday in a 1-0 loss to the chasing Islanders, but an 8-0-4 run prior to that loss was enough to put them into playoff position.
And it's not just the wins and losses. The numbers match.
Over the last 10 games, Columbus ranks sixth in xG%, third in xGA, and has scored 3.43 G/60 while allowing just 2.35, the fifth fewest in the league.
To put the turnaround in perspective, the Blue Jackets were 18-19-7 on January 11. Since then, it's gone 19-3-4, scoring the third most G/60 at 3.8 and surrendering the third fewest against at 2.52.
As far as individual play, Zach Werenski has been flat-out exceptional, piling up 20 goals and 55 assists from the blue line. Charlie Coyle is five points away from his career high with 12 games to play, and Kirill Marchenko leads the team with 25 goals.
Jet Greaves has been solid in net as well, playing to a .914 SV%, 2.21 GAA, and 3.1 GSAx over his last 10 games. I expect him to get the start for a second straight game tonight over Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins has struggled somewhat with a .885 SV% and 3.35 GAA this season.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have been playing solid hockey over the last 10 games. If it weren't for a dreadful month of January, Philadelphia would likely find itself more firmly in the playoff picture right now.
It sits five points behind the Islanders for a Wild Card spot with two games in hand and also five points behind the Blue Jackets for third place in the Metro.
Over the last 10 games, Noah Cates has stepped up with four goals and five assists, and Owen Tippett has continued to provide a boost to the offense with five goals in that span. Outside of Travis Konecny, Trevor Zegras, and Tippett, scoring on the roster is limited, so Cates' recent emergence is something it'll need more of down the stretch to make one final playoff push.
As it's done for the most part all season, the Flyers have won games on the defensive side, allowing just 11 5-on-5 goals over their last 10 games. Offensively, it ranks 31st in 5-on-5 goals scored and last in xGF during that time.
Dan Vladar remains one of Philly's most reliable goaltending options in recent years. He's looked strong in his last 10 starts, posting a .918 SV%, 2.22 GAA, and 5.9 GSAx and should get the start tonight.
Blue Jackets vs. Flyers Prediction
These teams met about a week and a half ago, with Columbus winning 2-1 in a shootout, and I expect a similar type of game here.
Divisional matchups like this down the stretch often turn into low-scoring affairs, and both teams haven't given up much as of late. In their last 10 games, Philly and Columbus have allowed just 2.30 and 2.35 GA/60, which ranks fourth and fifth in the league.
Trends back it up too. Five of the Flyers’ last six games have gone under, along with three of Columbus’s last five.
The line is still sitting at 6 with some books, which might be the wiser option, but I'll grab plus money at 5.5.
Pick: Under 5.5 (+104)
