Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers Betting Picks

Columbus and Philadelphia met 10 days ago in a game that turned into a defensive struggle, with Columbus getting a 2-1 shootout road victory. Expect the same kind of tight checking and defensive intensity today. The Flyers are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. They are five points behind the Blue Jackets and four points behind the Red Wings for the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have been playing outstanding defense in their last 12 games, giving up an average of 2.1 goals per game during this span. Columbus is 19-3-4 since Jan. 11. They have the NHL's highest points percentage during this span. The Blue Jackets' surge has coincided with defensive-minded Rick Bowness taking over as coach. Columbus is giving up a stingy 1.7 goals a game during its last seven games. Jet Greaves is projected to be in net for Columbus. He is 11-1-2 in his last 14 appearances with a 2.25 GAA and .910 save percentage, while Dan Vladar is likely to be in goal for Philadelphia. He has posted a 23-11-7 record with a 2.41 GAA and .908 save percentage. Take the UNDER. 

Columbus has dropped three of four, allowing 14 goals. The defense is 24th in penalty killing, and 23rd in goals surrendered (3.17 per game), while the offense is 14th in goals scored (3.15 per game). Columbus is on a 5-3 run OVER the total. They face a Philadelphia defense that is 22nd in penalty killing, 16th in goals allowed (3.08 per game), and 28th in save percentage (.886). The Flyers have won three of four, tallying 13 goals. These division rivals played a 5-3 game in January when they last met, sailing OVER 6.5. Take Columbus/Philadelphia OVER the total. 

Columbus is on a 7-4 run and needs a victory in its last road game of the regular season to stay alive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs chase. They've won four in a row by a 19-5 count. The offense is 10th in goals scored and 11th in shooting percentage. Philadelphia's offense is 23rd in goals scored, 17th in shooting percentage, and 30th on the power play, while the defense is 20th in penalty killing, 28th in goals surrendered (3.44 per game), and last in save percentage (.879). The last-place Flyers are getting outscored by 44 goals, the third-worst differential in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia is on a 6-13 run. Play Columbus. 

Columbus is finally home following a five-game trip in which the Blue Jackets scored a total of 15 goals. Elvis Merzlikins is confirmed for this game and he has a 2.95 goals-against average and he is 6-2-1 at home this season. Samuel Ersson is likely for Philadelphia after returning from an injury, and he had 21 saves Sunday against Utah. Ersson is 5-3-2 with a 2.83 goals-against average with a shutout this season, and there is pressure on him to perform based on the play of his two backups while he was away. The Flyers are 6-3-1 to the UNDER their past 10 games, and I look for the Blue Jackets to be a little scruffy on the offensive side after such a long trip. Take the UNDER as my Total of the Month.