Philadelphia Flyers vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

Flyers strive to get back on track, face familiar foe in Blue Jackets

The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to regain momentum as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. With only two wins in their last eight games, the Flyers hope to replicate their December 10 victory over the Blue Jackets, a game that ended in a 5-3 triumph. Here’s a detailed look at what’s at stake for both teams and the key players to watch.

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Flyers’ Recent Struggles

The Flyers have shown flashes of potential, including a 5-3 win over Columbus earlier this month, where Travis Konecny shined with two goals and Morgan Frost contributed a goal and an assist. However, Philadelphia has since lost three consecutive games, including a disappointing 7-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

• Coach John Tortorella’s Perspective: Flyers coach John Tortorella, who previously coached the Blue Jackets, emphasized the need for consistency. “I thought we handled ourselves well for 40 minutes. Gotta find our way through 60,” Tortorella said.
• Defensive Concerns: In their most recent outing, the Flyers allowed the Kings to score five unanswered goals. Goaltender Aleksei Kolosov struggled, allowing six goals on 26 shots. Starter Samuel Ersson is expected to return to the net, aiming to improve on a challenging stretch since his return from injury, during which he’s conceded 15 goals in four starts.

Key Flyers Players to Watch

1. Tyson Foerster: Coming off a two-goal performance against the Kings, Foerster’s aggressive play around the net has been a bright spot. “That’s what I’m trying to do, get to the net,” Foerster said.
2. Matvei Michkov: The highly-touted rookie is going through a rough patch, with no points in his last four games and a minus-8 rating over the past three contests. His performance will be critical for the Flyers to regain offensive rhythm.
3. Sean Couturier: The veteran forward has gone 10 games without a goal, a streak he’ll look to end on Saturday.

Blue Jackets’ Road to Redemption

The Blue Jackets have faced similar struggles, losing eight of their last ten games. However, they enter Saturday’s matchup with renewed confidence after a 4-2 win against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins delivered a heroic performance with 40 saves, earning praise from teammates and coaches.

• Zach Werenski on Merzlikins: “If it wasn’t for the saves he made and how dialed in he was, it probably could be a different outcome,” said Werenski.
• Coach Dean Evason’s Take: While pleased with the win, Evason emphasized that Merzlikins’ effort is part of his role: “That’s his job, right? He did it very well.”

Key Blue Jackets Players to Watch

1. Elvis Merzlikins: The goaltender’s spectacular showing against New Jersey is a reminder of his ability to steal games. He’ll need to bring similar energy to help Columbus against the Flyers’ offensive threats.
2. Sean Monahan: After scoring just one goal in nine games, Monahan found his groove with two goals against the Devils. His continued production will be vital for the Blue Jackets.
3. Kirill Marchenko: Though Marchenko has only scored one goal in his last ten games, he has points in seven of his last eight outings. His playmaking could be a key factor.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Philadelphia and Columbus meet for the second time this season, with the Flyers leading the series after their December 10 victory. Historically, both teams have struggled to maintain consistency, but each has standout players capable of turning the tide.

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Keys to Victory

1. For the Flyers:
   • Tighten up defensively and avoid lapses that plagued them against the Kings.
   • Get contributions from secondary scorers like Michkov and Couturier.
   • Capitalize on opportunities against a Columbus team that has struggled defensively.
2. For the Blue Jackets:
   • Continue relying on Merzlikins’ strong goaltending.
   • Increase offensive support from players like Monahan and Marchenko.
   • Limit turnovers and capitalize on Philadelphia’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Prediction

Both teams are under pressure to bounce back from recent struggles. The Flyers hold the psychological edge after their earlier win over the Blue Jackets, but Columbus’ victory against New Jersey could provide a spark. The game may come down to goaltending, where Merzlikins’ recent form could give the Blue Jackets a slight advantage.

Conclusion

Saturday’s matchup offers an opportunity for both teams to reverse their fortunes. For the Flyers, finding consistency across all 60 minutes will be critical, while the Blue Jackets will lean heavily on Merzlikins’ stellar play. With each team eager to get back on track, fans can expect an intense and competitive game.