(12-17  -1.35 units)

Blue Jackets moneyline +138  1*

Today we have what should be an exciting matchup between one of the most thrilling teams in hockey and one of the most unpredictable teams in hockey.

Any game involving Tortorella’s Blue Jackets this season is more or less exciting, and eight straight one goal games leading up to today is good proof..especially since they came away with a victory in five of them. The Jackets have also gone to four straight overtimes, and saw some very solid comebacks in some of them. While CBJ is still getting used to life without Bobrovsky and Panarin, they are proving to be extremely resilient, and competent in many situations against good teams.

While Philadelphia has gotten the ball rolling as well and is naturally going to receive favor at home in a close matchup on a Saturday prime time game, keep in mind that nobody would be surprised with which Philly team shows up. The Flyers also have the smallest sample at home this season, with just three games so far at Wells Fargo Center.

While CBJ will need to eventually learn to pull themselves away from the opponent on the scoreboard in games, there is nothing about this Philadelphia team that suggests that the Jackets can’t match them. Philly may be a hostile setting, but also keep in mind that the Flyers may have their eyes set on their long time rival Islanders tomorrow on the road. With Columbus not playing again until the eve of Halloween, I expect them to really give it their all today.

For such an even matchup with situations favoring the Blue Jackets, this is something I am not going to pass on.

Ducks/Avalanche UNDER 5.5  +103  1*

The Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche will be facing off in one of the more intriguing matchups, as both teams appear to be improved in many aspects.

Today though, we have a low total setting of 5.5 despite the Avalanche firepower and the two backups expecting to be in goal today.

A large reason for this I believe is because both teams will need to find strategic ways to conserve their energy. The Anaheim Ducks have a game in Vegas tomorrow, and have already taken a defensive approach to start the season. Expect them to be ultra conservative in the altitude today if they can manage. The Avalanche on the other hand, will need shift management to keep up. They come back from a lengthy road trip into the high altitude, but more importantly are coming into game two of a back to back as well.

Look for short shifts and neutral zone battles for the majority of this game.