Philadelphia Flyers (31-38-13 last season) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (25-48-9 last season)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 10/12/23 – The Philadelphia Flyers are set to clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets in a fascinating NHL regular season encounter. Both teams are looking to improve upon their last season’s standings, with the Flyers posting a 31-38-13 record and the Blue Jackets finishing at 25-48-9. The game promises excitement and is surely one of the top hockey wagers today.
Diving into the offensive prowess of the Flyers, Travis Konecny leads the charge with an impressive 61 points, accrued from 31 goals and 30 assists. Following him are Kevin Hayes and Owen Tippett, with 54 and 49 points, respectively. This lethal combination has the capability of piercing through the defense of any opponent. However, the Blue Jackets’ defense, led by their goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, will put up a fierce resistance, despite a rather underwhelming save percentage of 0.876 last season.
On the other side, Columbus boasts an impressive offensive lineup, led by Johnny Gaudreau, who amassed 74 points last season. With the likes of Patrik Laine and Boone Jenner supporting him, the Blue Jackets can pose a serious threat. The Flyers’ defense, backed by goaltender Carter Hart, will have their task cut out. Hart, with a save percentage of 0.907, would be pivotal in keeping Philadelphia in the game against such potent scorers.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Game Info
| When: | Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Nationwide Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Carter Hart vs. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins
Carter Hart, with 55 games under his belt from last season, emerged as a stalwart for the Flyers. With 22 wins and a save percentage of 0.907, Hart’s performance will be critical in thwarting the Blue Jackets’ offensive onslaught. Facing shooters like Gaudreau and Laine, Hart’s agility and experience will be put to the test.
In the Blue Jackets’ corner stands Elvis Merzlikins, who, despite a challenging season last year, remains a crucial figure for Columbus. A save percentage of 0.876 indicates room for improvement, but a game against the Flyers offers him a golden chance to showcase his mettle and thwart the likes of Konecny and Hayes.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Columbus Blue Jackets -125, Total Odds: 6.5
Considering the recent forms and performances of both teams, the betting odds seem to tilt slightly in favor of the Blue Jackets. While the puckline for the Flyers stands at +1.5 (-210) and the moneyline at +113, the Blue Jackets have been given a puckline of -1.5 (+175) and a moneyline of -125. Bettors might find value in exploring these odds further based on team dynamics and recent performances.
Philadelphia Flyers Betting Trends
The Flyers have struggled recently, recording 2 wins in their last 9 games. Their away form is even more concerning, with a 1-10 record in their last 11 road games. A specific note of concern for Philadelphia fans would be their record against Columbus on the road, where they’ve emerged victorious only 4 times in the last 19 encounters. The totals have consistently gone OVER in 4 of their last 6 games against Eastern Conference opponents, and UNDER against Metropolitan Division opponents in 5 of their last 7 encounters.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends
The Blue Jackets, while having a slightly better home record than their away form, have won only 1 of their last 6 games. Interestingly, the total has gone OVER in 13 of their last 20 games, and specifically, in 4 of their last 5 games against Philadelphia. At home, Columbus seems to have the upper hand against the Flyers, with a 15-4 record in their last 19 games.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 10/12/23 Betting Picks
Based on the data at hand and the recent form of both teams, the Columbus Blue Jackets seem to have a slight edge, especially given their dominant home record against the Flyers. The total going OVER seems to be a trend when these two teams clash, and thus, betting on OVER 6.5 goals might offer value to punters.
For those looking for the best premium picks, backing the Blue Jackets on the moneyline at -125 seems to be a wise choice. The prowess of Gaudreau and Laine might just prove too much for the Flyers’ defense, even with Hart in top form.
Free Pick and Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3.