Columbus Blue Jackets (62 pts) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (83 pts) Game Preview
The Philadelphia Flyers have been good all year, but now they're in big, big trouble.
The Flyers are 5-8-4 since March 1st, 2-5-3 in their last 10, and have lost 6 straight. They're also barely hanging on to a wildcard spot with 83 points. John Tortorella is not happy right now.
But, there's no better way to bust out of a slump than to play the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus is 3-6-1 in their last 10 and has won 2 out of their last 3 games. The Jackets are 15-5-4 all-time against Philadelphia, so Columbus has a chance to play spoiler against their Metro rivals and keep them out of the playoffs.
The Flyers are currently 4th in the Metro, 8th in the East, 17th in the NHL, and hold the second wildcard spot.
Series History vs. The Flyers
- Columbus is 15-5-4 all-rime vs. the Flyers at home, and 26-18-6 in all meetings.
- The Jackets are 10-7-2 in the last 19, but 1-3-1 in the last 5.
- The Blue Jackets are 2-1-0 in the last 3 at NWA.
Who To Watch For The Flyers
- Travis Konecny has 65 points this season. He also has 30 points in 25 career games vs. the CBJ.
- Owen Tippett has 27 goals and 49 points.
- Goalie Samuel Ersson is 21-16-7 with a save % of .891.
- John Tortorella. A Tortorella-coached team is always something to watch out for.
CBJ Player Notes vs. The Flyers
- Johnny Gaudreau has 22 points in 20 games against the Flyers.
- Zach Werenski has 11 points in 20 games vs. Philadelphia.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture-Dec. 14; NHL Player Assistance Program-Jan. 28); 17 games (for injury)
- Adam Fantilli (calf laceration on Jan. 28); expected to miss 8 weeks (27 games)
- Kent Johnson (shoulder injury on Feb. 28); out the rest of the season (18 games)
- Yegor Chinakhov (upper-body injury on Mar. 12); is day-to-day (11 games)
- Sean Kuraly (lower-body injury on Mar. 12); is week-to-week (11 games)
- Adam Boqvist (upper-body injury on Mar. 14); out indefinitely (10 games)
- Elvis Merzlikins (lower-body injury on Apr. 1); is day-to-day (2 games)
- Jake Bean (broken hand on Apr. 4); out the rest of the season
- Daniil Tarasov (upper-body injury on Apr. 3)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 278
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on Bally Sports Ohio. As always, the legendary Jeff Rimer will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 THE FAN with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
More From THN Columbus
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.