In their first head-to-head matchup of the regular season, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets meet at Nationwide Arena for a divisional showdown. NBC Sports Philadelphia will air the matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 23.
Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus is 21-15 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 2.0 units this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, isn’t too far off from to the 50-32 record the team managed during the 2016-17 season campaign. Out of its 36 regular season matches, 18 of them have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 13-6 SU at home this year.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 11.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that puts them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Blue Jackets have been penalized just 3.2 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over their past five contests. The team has had to kill penalties for a whopping 14.0 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
Boasting a .920 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (17 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for Columbus this year. If head coach John Tortorella decides to give him the night off, however, Columbus may turn to Joonas Korpisalo (4-4-4 record, .911 save percentage, 2.84 goals against average).
The Jackets will continue relying on offensive production via Artemi Panarin and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Panarin (30 points) is up to eight goals and 22 assists and has recorded two or more points five times this year. Bjorkstrand has six goals and 16 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 18 games.
Over on the other bench, Philadelphia is 15-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 35 regular season contests, 17 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Flyers are 7-9 SU as the road team this season.
The Flyers have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 76.8 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 4.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (2.65 goals against average and .913 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott is averaging 27.4 saves per game and owns a 13-15-6 record.
Jakub Voracek (eight goals, 36 assists) has been one of the top playmaking threats for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Columbus (3-2 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. Philadelphia fell short in both of its shootouts this year.
The over has hit in three of Columbus’ last five games.
Philadelphia has managed 29.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Columbus has been attempting 35.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
The Blue Jackets this season have registered the 11th-most hits per game (22.1).
