The Philadelphia Flyers (7-3-2) head to Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday night to take on the slumping Columbus Blue Jackets (3-9-0). Columbus has lost its last five games and is in last place in the NHL standings.
The starting goaltenders inform the Flyers vs Blue Jackets odds. Having a bounce-back season between the pipes, Carter Hart is the projected starter for Philadelphia. Hart is 6-0-2 on the season with a 1.97 goals-against average (GAA) and a .946 save percentage.
Hart has been the reason the Flyers are keeping pace in the tough Metropolitan Division. Elvis Merzlikins gets the nod for the Columbus Blue Jackets picks. He’s 2-5-0 with a 4.81 GAA and a .863 save percentage.
Philadelphia ranks 26th in the league in goals, while the Blue Jackets are 31st. Columbus ranks 20th in shots but has struggled to score, as its shooting percentage is just 8.2 compared to 10.1 for the Flyers. The Philadelphia Flyers schedule has been an advantage in team defense, but that can largely be attributed to the goaltender.
Philadelphia is fourth in goals allowed per game but 30th in shots allowed per game. They’ve won their last two games on the NHL schedule and have beaten good NHL teams like the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Travis Konecny leads the Flyers in NHL player stats with 14 points. Kevin Hayes and Tony DeAngelo are second and third with 12 and 8 points, respectively. Offseason signing Johnny Gaudreau is the Blue Jackets scoring leader with nine points in 12 games.
The NHL injury report for tonight’s game features prominent Flyers players like James van Riemsdyk, Ryan Ellis, Cam Atkinson, and Sean Couturier. Former Flyer Jakub Voracek and defenseman Adam Boqvist are out for the Blue Jackets.
This is the first meeting between these two teams this season. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on NBCS-PH and BSOH.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Flyers vs Blue Jackets odds have Columbus as the betting favorite on the moneyline, which seems a bit strange considering their performance this season. The Blue Jackets have lost five in a row and are playing against a goaltender who has yet to lose in regulation. BetOnline has Columbus at -116 on the moneyline and the Flyers at +105.
Alternatively, the Blue Jackets are listed at +195 on the -1.5 puckline, and the Flyers are paying out -225 on the +1.5 puckline. The over/under is set at six, which again seems low, even if Hart has been one of the best goaltenders in the league this season.
Merzlikins, the expected starter for the Columbus Blue Jackets, has allowed 5, 7, 4, and 6 goals in his last four starts. The over/ under is paying out -115 and +104, respectively.
Matchup Information
- Date: November 10, 2022
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Venue: Nationwide Arena
- How to Watch: ESPN+
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
Starting Goaltenders
Carter Hart: As mentioned, Hart has arguably been the best goaltender in the league this season. He’s coming off of a 33-save performance in the Flyers’ 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. He has allowed only ten goals in his last five starts.
Elvis Merzlikins: The large Latvian goaltender has been downright terrible this season, although he hasn’t been helped by his defense. Merzlikins was 27-23-7 last season with a 3.22 GAA and a .907 save percentage. His 4.82 GAA this year is the worst in the league and certainly doesn’t inspire confidence for Columbus in Flyers vs Blue Jackets odds.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
Over/Under: The over/under of six for this game seems low, even if both teams are in the top 10 for lowest-scoring teams this season. The Flyers schedule has been tough, and they could be due for an offensive outburst against the struggling Merzlikins. Similarly, the Blue Jackets are due for a strong offensive showing. Take the over at -115.
Moneyline: Yes, Columbus is certainly due for a win, but it probably won’t happen tonight. Philadelphia is 3-2 on the road this season (and 10-2 ATS overall), while Columbus is a dismal 2-5 at home.
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