The Philadelphia Flyers, led by Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier, are set to take the ice against Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena for a Metropolitan Division tilt. The action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 28, and fans at home will be able to see the game live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
The Blue Jackets (-200) are tabbed as the favorites over the Flyers (+170), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under). Those O/U odds have shifted after initially opening at -120 over and +100 under.
Columbus is 35-27 straight-up (SU) and has earned 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team posted during the 2017-18 season (45-37). Out of its 62 regular season contests, 32 of them have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just six have pushed. The team’s 16-16 SU at home this year.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 15.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fourth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.0 percent of all penalties.
With a .907 save percentage and 25.8 saves per game, Sergei Bobrovsky (26-20-1) has been the top goalkeeper for the Jackets this season. If the Jackets, however, choose to rest him, the team might go with Joonas Korpisalo (9-12-12 record, .896 save percentage, 3.07 goals against average).
Over on the other bench, Philadelphia is 30-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 33 of its games have gone over the total, while 29 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. The Flyers are 13-17 SU as the away team this season.
The Flyers have converted on just 17.2 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully defended 76.8 percent of all penalties.
Carter Hart (.917 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Hart is averaging 27.6 saves per game and has 13 wins, nine losses, and one OT loss to his credit.
Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in four of Columbus’ last five outings.
- Eight of Columbus’ last ten outings have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 5-3 overall in those games.
- Philadelphia skaters registered 21.6 hits per game last season, while the Blue Jackets posted 21.8 hits per matchup.
