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The Columbus Blue Jackets (4-5-0) and Philadelphia Flyers (3-7-3) will meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EDT at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa. The game will broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Blue Jackets are favored at -125 on the moneyline, with the Flyers +105 to pull off the upset. The over/under is set at 5.5 (-115o / -105u).
Let's get into our Blue Jackets vs. Flyers predictionsand NHL picks .
Our Columbus vs. Philadelphia best betis for Zach Werenski not to record an assist, with the best oddscurrently available at DraftKings. For all of your NHL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NHL odds page.
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Blue Jackets vs. Flyers puck line:Blue Jackets -1.5 (+200), Flyers +1.5 (-245)
Blue Jackets vs. Flyers over/under:5.5 (-115o / -105u)
Blue Jackets vs. Flyers moneyline:Blue Jackets -125, Flyers +105
On the surface, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski is having a respectable start to the campaign with six assists through nine games. However, Columbus' underlying offensive metrics tell a much grimmer story.
The Jackets have struggled to generate consistent offense; three of their four victories this year required overtime or a shootout, and if you take out the season opener, Columbus is averaging a paltry 2.00 goals per game.
Matters aren't helped behind the bench. Head coach Rick Bowness has seemingly already lost the room, having unleashed at least three fiery tirades on the squad since taking the helm midway through last season.
After an offseason spent in trade discussions where he had to be convinced to stay in Columbus, Werenski looks increasingly like an unmotivated top-pairing blueliner stuck carrying a rudderless team.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia comes in riding significant momentum. After an abysmal 0-6-3 start, the Flyers have flipped the script by winning three of their last four games. While Philly's overall defensive metrics on the year rank among the NHL's worst, its recent stretch has featured lockdown assignments against opposing blue-line anchors. Over this four-game turnaround, the Flyers completely blanked Rasmus Dahlin, Cale Makar, and Jake Sanderson off the score sheet.
Facing an offense as anemic as Columbus, expect Philadelphia's hot streak to continue while keeping Werenski off the scoresheet.
Philadelphia's defense has had its issues overall this season, but Columbus' offense has been substantially worse. Back the surging Flyers to neutralize an isolated superstar and keep Werenski from setting up any scoring.
Our projections show a strong 10.3% edgeon fading the Columbus defenseman tonight.
Best Bet: Zach Werenski Under 0.5 Assists
