Flyers vs Blue Jackets Prediction
The Philadelphia Flyers will play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Philadelphia was one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference last year, while the Blue Jackets were one of the worst teams in the entire NHL.
Flyers Preview
The Philadelphia Flyers were 31-38-13 last year and finished with 75 points, which was 7th in the Metropolitan Division. Philadelphia was pretty competitive in their first 48 games last season, but they really struggled down the stretch. The Flyers scored 2.68 goals per game last year, which was 29th in the NHL, while they allowed 3.37 goals against per game, which was 22nd in the NHL. Philadelphia went 3-2-1 in the preseason, with wins over Boston (2x) and the Islanders. The Flyers scored three goals or more in three of their last four games. Travis Konecny led the Flyers last year with 31 goals, 30 assists, and 191 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Philadelphia is Carter Hart, who was 22-23-10 last year with a 2.94 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
Blue Jackets Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets went 25-48-9 last season and finished with 59 points, which was last in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus had a very bad season last year and they lost nine of their last eleven games. The Blue Jackets scored 2.60 goals per game last season, which was 30th in the NHL, while they allowed 4.01 goals against per game, which was 31st in the NHL. Columbus went 4-3-1 in the preseason, with wins over Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Buffalo, and Washington. The Blue Jackets scored 4+ goals in three of their last four games. Johnny Gaudreau led the Blue Jackets with 21 goals, 53 assists, and 220 shots on goal last season. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who went 7-18-2 last year with a 4.23 goals against average and a .876 save percentage.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The home team has won each of the last four games between the Flyers and Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in four of their last five home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in six of the Blue Jackets' last seven games as home favorites.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the first period in six of their last seven night games at Nationwide Arena.
Philadelphia Flyers Team Facts
- The underdogs have won four of the Flyers' last five games at Nationwide Arena.
- The Flyers have covered the puck line in each of their last seven season openers as underdogs.
- The Flyers have lost the second period in each of their last six games as underdogs.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Flyers' last three games.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Boone Jenner has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances with the Blue Jackets as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Johnny Gaudreau has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances against the Flyers.
- Johnny Gaudreau has recorded at least one assist in six of his last seven appearances against the Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers Player Prop Facts
- Travis Konecny has scored a goal in three of the Flyers' last four games at Nationwide Arena.
- Travis Konecny has recorded at least one point in each of the Flyers' last eight night games at Nationwide Arena.
- Travis Konecny has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Flyers' last eight night games at Nationwide Arena.
Pick
Both of these teams had tough seasons last year and they will look to start the 2023-24 season off on the right foot with a win here. Philadelphia will be on the road, but they have a big advantage in goal, as Carter Hart is one of the better goalies in the NHL. Columbus has some nice pieces on their roster and I think they will have a better season, but their goaltending situation is less than ideal. I am going to take the Flyers on the road with Hart in net.
