The Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Thursday in NHL action at the Nationwide Arena. The Philadelphia Flyers look for a win after splitting their last 10 games. The Columbus Blue Jackets look to snap a 5-game losing streak.
The Philadelphia Flyers are averaging 2.75 goals per game and are scoring on 19.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Travis Konecny leads Philadelphia with 5 goals, Kevin Hayes has 10 assists and Ivan Provorv has 27 shots on goal. Defensively, the Philadelphia Flyers are allowing 2.42 goals per game and are killing 82.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Carter Hart has allowed 16 goals on 296 shots faced, and Felix Sandstrom has given up 12 goals on 132 shots.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.5 goals per game and are scoring on 6.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Johnny Gaudreau leads Columbus with 5 goals, Jakub Voracek has 5 assists and Boone Jenner has 42 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 4.58 goals per game and are killing 79 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 14 goals on 131 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 34 goals on 248 shots.
The Flyers are 15-37 in their last 52 road games and 19-45 in their last 64 overall. The Blue Jackets are 0-4 in their last 4 home games and 8-23 in their last 31 overall. The under is 6-2 in Flyers last 8 road games. The over is 8-3 in Blue Jackets last 11 overall. The Flyers are 4-13 in the last 17 meetings in Columbus and 5-2 in the last 7 meetings. The road team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings. The underdog is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are probably the better team on paper, and it feels like oddsmakers are waiting for things to turn around. This line doesn't make sens. The Blue Jackets aren't playing good hockey right now and the Philadelphia Flyers are off to a strong start defensively, which gives them a fighting chance on the road. We're getting the team in better form at plus money. Give me the Flyers.
