Flyers vs Blue Jackets Elite NHL Pick 1/14

Blue Jackets Aim to Extend Winning Streak Against Flyers

The Columbus Blue Jackets are riding high with a season-best four-game winning streak and will look to push it to five as they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. This recent surge has catapulted the Jackets into the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot, but with just a five-point gap separating them from the 15th-place New York Islanders, the race remains razor-thin in the East.

Defensive Prowess Shines in St. Louis Victory

Known for their defensive struggles, the Blue Jackets delivered a standout performance in their 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Goaltender Jet Greaves was the backbone of this effort, turning away 31 shots and anchoring a defense that blocked 23 attempts. St. Louis only managed to find the net in the final 12 seconds of the game, underscoring Columbus’ commitment to a structured, defensive mindset.

Rising Stars Shine Amidst Injuries

The Blue Jackets’ success comes despite a rash of injuries to key players, including captain Boone Jenner, Sean Monahan, Erik Gudbranson, and Justin Danforth. Zach Aston-Reese’s status is also uncertain after sustaining an upper-body injury on Saturday.

In their absence, Columbus’ younger core has stepped up admirably. Rookie Adam Fantilli is in the midst of a five-game point streak, tallying six points (three goals, three assists). Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov have also been impactful, each recording six points during four-game streaks. Meanwhile, defenseman Zach Werenski continues to shine, leading the team with 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists) and vying for the NHL’s top spot in points by a defenseman.

Flyers Seek Consistency in Back-to-Back Set

Like Columbus, the Flyers are attempting to claw their way back into playoff contention. Their 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Monday showcased their resilience, marking their league-leading sixth comeback win when trailing after two periods. Noah Cates starred with two goals, including a highlight-reel game-winner midway through the third. Cates has been in fine form, posting 14 points (eight goals, six assists) over his last 16 games.

Philadelphia’s power play has also found its groove recently, going 4-for-9 in its last two games after a prolonged slump. However, back-to-back games have not been kind to the Flyers, as they hold a 1-6-0 record in the second half of such sets this season. With Samuel Ersson starting on Monday, either Ivan Fedotov or Aleksei Kolosov is expected to get the nod on Tuesday.

Key Matchup Notes

• Columbus’ power play has been a driving force during their hot streak, converting 16 times on 45 opportunities over the last 17 games.
• Elvis Merzlikins, likely starting for Columbus, has a solid 6-1-1 record in his last eight games, though his 3.17 goals-against average leaves room for improvement.
• The Flyers have had Columbus’ number this season, winning both matchups—a 5-3 victory on Dec. 10 in Columbus and a 5-4 overtime thriller on Dec. 21 in Philadelphia.

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