The NHL provided us with a four-game slate on Monday, January 23, and this inter-conference clash is the final game on the schedule, so feel free to read the best Blue Jackets vs. Flames betting pick and odds.

Columbus will open a four-game road trip when they visit Calgary at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames are -357 moneyline favorites on MyBookie Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These inter-conference rivals met once this season, and the Blue Jackets won 3-1 in Columbus.

Blue Jackets beat the Sharks to snap a losing skid

The Columbus Blue Jackets (14-30-1-1, 20-26 ATS) were on a three-game losing streak but managed to avoid the fourth straight defeat with a 5-3 home win over the San Jose Sharks. It was Columbus’ most efficient game since December 12 and a 6-5 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings. Still, the Blue Jackets are the weakest team in the NHL with just 30 points and they can already say goodbye to the playoffs.

Columbus actually came from a 2-0 behind to get a win against San Jose. The Jackets scored a pair of quick goals in the second period and then added three more in the final frame. Five different players scored for the hosts and five individuals recorded two points each. This season, Johnny Gaudreau is the only Jacket among the top 100 players in the NHL when it comes to points as he collected 44 (G 13, A 31).

Elvis Merzlikins (5-13-0) is slated to start at the goal against Calgary on Monday. The 28-year-old is allowing 4.48 goals per game this year with a .868 SV% and no shutouts.

RW Jakub Voracek (concussion), D Zach Werenski (shoulder), D Jake Bean (upper body), RW Yegor Chinakhov (lower body), and RW Carson Meyer (oblique) are out indefinitely.

Flames erupted in the third period to beat the Lightning

The Calgary Flames (22-16-6-3, 19-28 ATS) snapped a two-game losing run with a 6-3 home victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Flames scored only two goals in defeats to Nashville and Colorado but bounced back with six against Tampa. Following this win, Calgary is ten points behind the Western Conference leaders Dallas Stars.

The Flames scored three goals in the third period, and although the last two were empty-netters, the hosts deserved to win as they attempted 41 shots opposite the Lightning’s 24. Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin led the team with three points apiece. Elias Lindholm is the team leader in points this season with 42 (G 14, A 28); Tyler Toffoli has 40 (G 17, A 23), while Nazem Kadri contributed 36 points (G 18, A 18).

Jacob Markstrom (13-12-5) will likely get a start in the cage against the Blue Jackets on Monday. The 32-year-old is surrendering 2.82 goals per contest this year with a .895 SV% and no shutouts.

D Oliver Kylington (personal) and RW Brett Ritchie (wrist) are out indefinitely and will not feature on Monday against the Jackets.

Trends:

Columbus:

  • 1-9 in the last ten after scoring five goals or more in their previous game
  • 0-6 in the last six Monday games

Calgary:

  • 11-4 in the last 15 vs. a team with a winning % below .400
  • 11-3 in the last 14 Monday games

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Calgary Flames Pick

The Flames are better in both offense and defense, but what is going to make a difference in this duel is the defense. Columbus is allowing 3.87 goals per game, which is the third-worst defense in the NHL. The Blue Jackets have the worst record in the league and are the worst away team, so I cannot find a single reason to back them in this one. The Flames won each of the last three H2H duels and I am going with them to beat the Blue Jackets again.

Pick: Take the Flames at -2 Puck Line (-115)

The Total

Calgary scored 3+ goals in six of the last eight games, while Columbus conceded 3+ goals in six of the previous seven games, so I am backing the hosts to torture Elvis Merzlikins, who is having a bad season and is allowing 4.48 goals per game. Columbus’s offense is far from great, but given the Flames are allowing nearly 3.00 goals per contest, I am going with the visitors to contribute with two or three goals. Over is 12-4-1 in the Blue Jackets’ last 17 vs. Pacific Division rivals, while Over is 6-2 in Columbus’ previous eight after scoring five goals or more in their last game.

Pick: Go Over 6.5 goals (-110)