A couple of teams currently on winning streaks, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Philadelphia Flyers clash at the Wells Fargo Center. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 26, and fans at home can watch this Metro Division matchup live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Philadelphia Flyers Odds
Columbus (+130) is entering this one as the underdog to Philadelphia (-150) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -110 money on the over and -110 for the under.
Columbus is 5-5 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.1 units this season. Through 10 regular season contests, six of its games have gone under the total, while four have gone over and none have pushed. As the away team this season, the Jackets are 2-2 SU.
Columbus has converted on 13.3 percent of its power play chances so far. That’s a noticeable drop-off from last year, when it was ranked 25th in the NHL by converting on 16.7 percent of its extra-man advantages. Its penalty kill has fallen off drastically since last year, as the team’s gone from successfully defending 84.9 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked second overall last season) to 78.6 percent this year.
For the team as a whole, Columbus has been called for penalties just 3.1 times per game this season. Last year, that figure was the best mark in the league at 2.8 penalties per game. The team served an average of 6.5 penalty minutes per game last year and is right around that same amount this season.
Averaging 25.1 saves per game with a .901 save percentage, Joonas Korpisalo (5-3-1) has been the top option in goal for Columbus this season. If head coach John Tortorella decides to rest him, however, the team could roll with Elvis Merzlikins (0-2-1 record, .863 save percentage, 4.99 goals against average).
Seth Jones and Pierre-Luc Dubois will both be offensive focal points for the visiting Blue Jackets. Jones has six points on one goal and five assists, and has shown up in the point column in five different games. Dubois has four goals and two assists to his creditand has registered a point in five games.
On the other side of the rink, Philadelphia is 4-4 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Five of its matches have gone under the total, while three have gone over and none have pushed. It’s 3-1 SU at home so far this year.
Philadelphia has converted on 25.8 percent of its power plays this year after scoring on 17.1 percent (ranked 23rd in league) last season. It’s killed off an impressive 79.2 percent of its penalties, compared to 78.5 percent a year ago (when it was ranked 26th in the NHL).
The Flyers have been penalized 3.3 times per game this season, a number that’s improved from the 3.7 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 8.9 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for only 6.9 minutes per outing this year.
Carter Hart has stopped 19.4 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for Philadelphia. Hart has two wins, three losses, and one OT loss and has recorded a poor .890 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average this season.
Travis Konecny (four goals, seven assists) will lead the attack for the Flyers.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- After winning three of its four shootouts last year, Philadelphia is off to a 0-1 start in shootouts this season. Columbus was 2-1 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- For both of these teams, the under has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- Columbus has yet to win a game by two more more goals this season.
- Columbus skaters notched 23.0 hits per game last season, while the Flyers posted 21.4 hits per contest.
