Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers

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. 

Columbus is 2-2 over its last four road contests. They lost at Boston and New Jersey by one goal each time as underdogs of +210 and +195, while winning at Toronto (6-5) as a +195 dog, and at Buffalo (9-4) at +160. Columbus is 11-6 off a home loss by three or more goals. Philadelphia has lost five of six and comes home from a five-game trek. They've also played 10 of their last 14 away from home. The Flyers are 25th in goals scored and 27th in shooting percentage and the team is 14-39 when playing their fourth game in seven days. Play Columbus. 

Over the last eight games, Columbus has six one-goal losses. They've also had a 4-2 victory this month over Tampa Bay as a +135 dog. Philadelphia's defense is 17th in save percentage (.897), while the offense is 16th in goals scored (3.24 per game) and shooting percentage. The Flyers are in a difficult situational spot. They came home from a four-game road trip (with three games out West) and beat defending champion Vegas last night, 4-3, in an emotional OT victory. Philadelphia is just 4-4 at home losing to Anaheim (7-4) as -165 chalk, to Carolina (3-2), to Buffalo (5-2) as a favorite, and to Los Angeles (5-0). Play Columbus.

Columbus had some offseason turmoil as Mike Babcock resigned and Pascal Vincent took over as coach, but the Blue Jackets still expect to improve this season as the injury situation can't get any worse than in 2022-23. Columbus had 26 players sustain injuries and 563 man-games lost, and that was a major factor in its finishing 25-48-9. The Blue Jackets do have a top line that features Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine along with center Boone Jenner, but Columbus will need improvement on the defensive side. Elvis Merzlikins will be in net tonight, and he was a victim of the defensive defiencies last season leading to a 4.23 goals-against average in 30 games. Philadelphia is doing a complete overhaul and is pegged to finish last in the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers are 17-49 their past 66 road games and 16-40 in division games. Take the Blue Jackets as a Max Play.