#UPDATED#
Happy Tuesday! We have a big slate of games on the NHL docket today. Let’s begin with a game that will be studied for years to come on how NOT to play defense. On the season Columbus and Philadelphia rank 30th (3.73ga/g) and 27th (3.51ga/g) in goals against per game. Things haven’t improved for them as of late. Over their last 10 games, Columbus is allowing 4.1 ga/g and 34.4 shots against/game. Philly is letting up 4.0 ga/g and 35.3 sa/g over that same period. Wait til you get a load of the numbers the two expected starting goalies are giving up.
Elvis Merzlikins and Carter Hart will be matched up in the opposing creases for Columbus and Philadelphia, respectively. Their numbers have been quite sub-par in recent affairs. Over his last 5 games, Merzlikins is 0-3-2 with a 3.46 GAA and .905 SV%. If you can believe it, Hart has been worse: 2-3-0, 4.21 GAA, .876 SV%. His two wins over that span were a 5-4 victory over Nashville and a 2-1 triumph over the Islanders. Merzlikins also started last night in a hard fought OT loss against Boston. He performed well, but I don’t expect two solid efforts in a row.
While both teams are not scoring at a rapid clip (CLB L10 2.6g/g, PHI L10 3.1g/g), I believe that the porous defense and below average goal tending likely to occur in this contest will foster high quality scoring chances for both sides. The Flyers have been eliminated from playoff contention. Hopefully they will play for pride and be motivated to entertain the Philly Phaithful with a few goals. The Blue Jackets remain in the playoff hunt and earned a point last night against Boston. They are 11 points behind Washington for the final playoff spot. I don’t expect them to quit on the season just yet.
My Pick: Over 6.5 total goals. You knew I was going here. I’m also playing the Columbus puck line at +115. Even on a back-to-back, the Blue Jackets are still a better team that the Flyers and they are due for a win.
Result: As predicted plenty of scoring chances with 79 total shots on goal. Philly had 49 of the 79 SOG, won 56% of face offs but were 0/4 on the PP resulting in 2 measly goals. There were at least 2 hit goal posts in the 3rd period alone and several break away chances for the Flyers. Give credit to Merzlikins, he has played well over his past two games.
AndyPicks 