Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction, 12/21/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024

Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+125) Flyers (-150)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (12-15-5) are headed to Wells Fargo Center on Saturday where they will attempt to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers (14-14-4). The odds on this game have Columbus at +125 while Philadelphia is coming in at -150. The over/under is set at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 5-3 loss against the Lightning their last time out. Columbus accrued 19 minutes in the box for this matchup. The Blue Jackets offense didn't overly impress in the loss. In addition, they had 5 attempts on the power play and were able to score 1 goal. For the game, they scored on 3 of the 31 shots they attempted.

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When it comes to their scoring, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 103 goals (9th in pro hockey) this season and have given up 116. For the current season, they sit with 29 points and their points percentage sits at .453. Columbus has tallied 88 power play opportunities and they have added 16 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 18.18%. When playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets let the opposition score 89 goals while getting 87 themselves. Columbus has taken 987 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.4%. The Blue Jackets have seen 915 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .873. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have 98 power play opportunities (10th in professional hockey) and have come away with 27 goals in those attempts.

The player in the crease for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. The opposition has notched 620 goals against Merzlikins in his professional career and his goals against rate is 3.54. Merzlikins has played in 211 matchups throughout his pro hockey career. His save percentage currently is at .903 for his 10,500 mins guarding the cage. He has accumulated a mark of 77-88-32 and got the start in 197 games. Over the course of his pro career, Merzlikins is sitting with 94 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .477. Merzlikins has seen 6,366 shots taken against him and he has 5,746 saves.

In their last game, Philadelphia opposed the Red Wings in a matchup where the Flyers ended up losing by a tally of 6-4. They had 1 power play attempt in this game but weren't able to score a goal. The Flyers converted 4 goals out of the 19 shots on goal they pursued.

On the season, the Philadelphia Flyers have earned 94 goals, 32 points, as well as a points percentage of .500. They have allowed 110 goals to be scored by of a combination of 91 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they were shorthanded. The Flyers are sitting with 79 goals at even strength and 15 goals (27th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have earned 91 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 16.48%. Philadelphia has taken 879 shots (23rd in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.69%, while allowing the other team 881 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 79.79% on the other teams 94 power play tries, and their save percentage comes in at 87.5%.

For the opposition you are expected to see Samuel Ersson in the crease. He has accrued 1,677 saves out of 1,883 shots taken, giving him a percentage of .891. Ersson has accumulated a career record of 35-27-9 and has been in goal for 78 contests. He has been a starter 73 games and has racked up 3,488 mins. Ersson's quality start percentage sits at 53.4% and he has 39 quality starts in his pro hockey career. The opposition is averaging 3.54 goals/game and he has relinquished 206 goals altogether.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (+125)

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