The Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers are on the ice at the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday night. Columbus is on a back-to-back following a hard-fought loss in overtime at home versus the Bruins.
You can talk about how bad the Blue Jackets’ defense is, but this wasn’t the case last night. They showed up, and Elvis Merzlikins had a good game in the crease. Merzlikins sent back 34 of 37 shots with a 0.919 save percentage.
Add another OT celly to the resumé ? #BudLightCelly | @budlight pic.twitter.com/poB6JOE75f
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 5, 2022
He didn’t allow his third goal until the extra session. Despite the better defensive effort, the Blue Jackets still left for Philadelphia with a point from that performance.
The Blue Jackets had their chance this season, but a cold stretch over the last few weeks puts them out of reach for a playoff berth.
After the loss last night, the Blue Jackets are 32-32-6 with 70 points in the Metropolitan Division. They are on a seven-game skid entering tonight.
The third-worst record in the Metropolitan isn’t enough to go into the playoffs. This isn’t the NBA, and playing .500 hockey isn’t going to work.
The Jackets are right back out on the ice in Philadelphia tonight. Philadelphia is coming off a 4-3 win in a shootout against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
A familiar face called game at The Garden. #PHIvsNYR | @JagermeisterUSA pic.twitter.com/HiknPtclzl
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 4, 2022
It’s a moral victory for the Flyers, who have fallen to 22-36-11 with 55 points. They are only a point better than the New Jersey Devils in the division. It’s been a tough year in Philadelphia.
The Flyers had lost four straight games before winning in a shootout at MSG. This wasn’t how the season was supposed to play out. Much better was expected.
Head below for our free Blue Jackets vs. Flyers prediction on April 5, 2022.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Philadelphia Flyers Betting Odds and Team Statistics:
The following odds are courtesy of Bovada:
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +1.5 (-220) | +115 | Over 6.5 (-115) |
| Philadelphia Flyers | -1.5 (+180) | -135 | Under 6.5 (-105) |
| Team Data | Columbus Blue Jackets | Philadelphia Flyers |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 32-32-6 | 22-36-11 |
| Puckline Record | 41-29 | 33-36 |
| Away/Home Record | 14-18-2 | 9-20-5 |
| Puckline Away/Home | 18-16 | 17-18 |
| Goals Per Game | 3.16 | 2.58 |
| Goals Against Per Game | 3.73 | 3.51 |
| Shots Per Game | 30.07 | 30.46 |
| Shots Against Per Game | 34.16 | 35.43 |
Blue Jackets vs. Flyers Prediction:
The Blue Jackets have gotten pushed around in their defensive zone often this season. At least, the Blue Jackets fought back and showed some resistance for one day.
Last night isn’t consistent with what the Jackets have been doing through the season, though. Columbus is 30th in the NHL in goals against at 3.73 allowed per game. They are dead last in shots conceded to give their goaltenders a tough go of it.
.@Merzly30 gets the nod in Philly ✍️ pic.twitter.com/UY7KFzcUbw
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 5, 2022
Could Elvis Merzlikins be better this season? Most certainly Merzlikins is expected to be better, but the defense hasn’t been giving him and his teammates in the crease a fighting chance.
Merzlikins is expected to start again on a back-to-back. He carries a 3.40 GAA and 0.903 save percentage into tonight. With time running out on the season, they might as well give him another go after a solid performance.
On the road this season, the Jackets have gotten touched up for 3.88 goals allowed per game. They’ve allowed an average of 4.1 goals per game in their last ten games despite the good showing versus the Bruins last night.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Philadelphia Flyers Betting Trends:
- 0-7 overall in their previous seven games
- 1-5 overall in their previous six games on a back-to-back
- OVER is 10-3 in their previous 13 games on a back-to-back
- OVER is 7-1-3 in their previous 11 games on a Tuesday
- OVER is 17-7-3 in their previous 27 games as an underdog
- 1-4 overall in their previous five games as a betting favorite
- 4-14 overall in their previous 18 games versus the Metropolitan Division
- OVER is 6-1 in their previous seven games
- OVER is 24-4-1 in their previous 29 games as a betting favorite
- OVER is 8-3 in their previous 11 games versus a team with a losing record
The Flyers haven’t done much better than the Blue Jackets in their defensive zone. They are 27th with 3.51 goals allowed per game.
The Flyers have given up 4 goals per game through their last ten outings. The offense has been fine with 3 goals a game during that stretch, but it won’t work with their effort in the defensive zone.
Corey Hart is slated to get the start in the crease tonight. He owns a 3.11 GAA, and 0.907 save percentage with a record of 13-22-8 this season. Neither Hart nor Berube are dependable.
This should be a fun matchup between two teams packing up for vacation soon. The Blue Jackets and Flyers don’t care for playing much defense. Expect goals often on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
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