NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Philadelphia Flyers (24-18-9) at Columbus Blue Jackets (24-20-7)
Flyers (+115) at Blue Jackets (-140) – Total 6.5 (Under, -120)
7 p.m. ET
I grabbed the total last night at 6 (Over, -125), but I still like it at Over 6.5. The Flyers are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Islanders. Thanks to my crack research staff (@bobanobets), we know that Flyers’ games are (10-1) to the full game Over the total following a loss when they score one goal or less. Nine of the 10 games that went Over the total had at least seven combined goals. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. Two of the three meetings last season went Under the total, but nine of the last 12 overall have had seven or more combined goals.
The Flyers will have Dan Vladar between the pipes tonight. Vladar is making his first start since January 14, and we have seen goalies this season struggle after an extended layoff (Adin Hill and Mackenzie Blackwood). Elvis Merzlikins will get the start for Columbus. With Elvis getting the start, I will be on the anytime goal props for Noah Cates (+400) and Travis Konecny (+225). Cates has scored five goals in six games versus Merzlikins and Konecny has six goals in nine games versus the Flyers netminder. Owen Tippett has cleared his shots on goal prop (Over 2.5) in eight of his last 10 games overall and nine of his last 12 games against the Blue Jackets.
On the Columbus side, the Jackets’ top line of Mason Marchment (points in seven of nine games with Columbus), Adam Fantilli (points in four of six overall), and Kirill Marchenko (points in four consecutive games versus the Flyers) are all good bets in my opinion to get on the scoresheet tonight. There isn’t any value in taking each player individually, so I will take the entire line to earn a point for a plus-money return.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Owen Tippett Over 2.5 SOG (+100) – .50 unit
Noah Cates anytime goal (+400) – .10
Travis Konecny anytime goal (+225) – .10
Flyers/Jackets Over 6.5 (+100) – 2 units
Sean Monahan Over ½ point (+130) – .25
Marchment/Fantilli/Marchenko point parlay (+227) – .25
