Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction, 1/4/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers

Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024

Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+138) Flyers (-167)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (12-19-8) are headed to Wells Fargo Center on Thursday where they will try to beat the Philadelphia Flyers (19-13-5). The moneyline on this matchup has the Blue Jackets at +138 while the Flyers are priced at -167. The total is set at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the losing side of the ice with a 4-1 loss to the Bruins their last time out. Columbus tallied 8 penalty minutes in this game. The Blue Jackets didn't have their best offensive outing in this defeat. Furthermore, they had 1 power play try but weren't able to make the most of that try. In the matchup, they scored on 1 of the 27 shots they put on net.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have earned 108 power play opportunities (29th in the NHL) and have come away with 21 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets have had 1,333 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .893. Columbus has taken 1,140 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.5%. While playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 122 goals while earning 104 on the offensive side of the ice. Columbus comes into the game with 105 power play chances and they have scored 16 goals during those chances, earning them a rate of 15.24%. For the season, they have racked up 32 points and their points percentage is .410. When it comes to their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 120 goals (13th in hockey) this season and have given up 143.

The man in goal for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Merzlikins has 77 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .481. His save percentage is at .906 during his 9,468 minutes in the crease. Merzlikins has had 5,291 shot attempts against him and he has 4,794 total saves. Opponents have been able to score 497 goals against Merzlikins in his NHL career and his goals against average is 3.15. He has a record of 62-70-28 and he has started in 160 games. Merzlikins has been involved in 173 matchups over the course of his hockey career.

In their last contest, Philadelphia played the Oilers in a matchup where the Flyers took the loss by a score of 5-2. They had 4 power play chances in this outing but were not able to net one. The Flyers netted 2 goals out of the 37 shots on goal they attempted.

The Flyers have scored 96 goals at even strength and 12 goals (30th in hockey) while on the power play. Philadelphia has taken 1,207 shots (5th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 8.95%, while allowing their opponents 1,069 shots. During this campaign, the Philadelphia Flyers have earned a total of 108 goals, 43 points, and a points percentage of .581. They have allowed 103 goals to be scored by way of 86 goals at even strength and 17 goals while they were shorthanded. They have recorded 118 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 10.17%. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 85.34% on their opponents 116 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage currently comes in at 90.4%.

Across the rink you will find Carter Hart protecting the net. Teams are averaging 2.93 goals/game and he has yielded 609 goals altogether. Hart's quality start percentage comes out to 49.3% and he has qualified for 105 quality starts in his pro hockey career. He got the starting nod in 213 games and has accumulated 12,468 minutes. Hart is the owner of a lifetime record of 93-91-29 and has participated in 222 games. He has recorded 5,884 stops out of 6,493 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .906.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Philadelphia (-167) and under 6.5 goals

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