CBJ vs. Flyers Preview
The Blue Jackets are back on the road to face the Flyers tonight after playing a very flat game against the powerful Boston Bruins.
Everyone is calling the season the Philadelphia Flyers are having "surprising", but is it that surprising when you have a coach like John Tortorella leading the way? The Flyers have been on a bit of a downer lately however, going 4-3-3 in their last 10, losing two straight in regulation, and 5 of their last 6 overall. The two strong spots of this team are the 3rd ranked PK and the fact that they don't give up many goals as they currently rank 9th overall in goals allowed. Their power play has fallen to 32nd overall.
The Flyers currently sit 4th in the Metro, 7th in the East, and 13th in the League.
Three Keys
- Bring The Action. The Flyers are a stingy team. They don't give up many shots or goals. It's going to be up to the Jackets to push play and don't give up any easy chances for the Flyers. The game against the Bruins lacked energy and they need to make sure that's not the case tonight.
- Continue The Good Road Play. Although the Jackets have lost their last two on the road in OT, they won the two road games before that. Getting points in 4 straight road games against Toronto, Buffalo (twice), and New Jersey is no easy task.
- Stay Hot Rookies. Adam Fantilli and Dmitri Voronkov have combined for 43 points as rookies. Fantilli is second among rookies, while Voronkov is 5th. They should be getting more ice time than they are, but they are doing what they can with the time they're given. They could dominate this game if given a chance.
Series History
- Columbus is 25-18-6 all-time vs Philly, and 10-13-2 on the road.
- The CBJ are 0-3-1 in the last four vs. the Flyers but are 2-2-1 in the last 5 in Philly.
Who to watch for Philadelphia
- Travis Konecny has 18 goals and 33 points, including 3 PP points and 4 short-handed goals.
- Owen Tippett has 12 goals and 22 points.
- Cam Atkinson has 8 goals and 18 points.
- Carter Hart is 9-7-3 with a .912 save %.
- Samuel Errson is 9-5-2 with a .902 save %.
CBJ Player Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau has 22 points in 19 career games against the Flyers.
- Kent Johnson has 2 points in 2 games against Philly.
- Kirill Marchenko has 3 points in 4 career games vs. The Flyers.
Injuries
- Adam Boqvist (shoulder strain) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 5 (Approx. 4 Weeks); 12 games
- Boone Jenner (fractured jaw) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 9 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 11 games
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 14 (Approx. 6 Weeks); 8 games
- Nick Blankenburg (upper body) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 19 (day-to-day); 6 games
- Sean Kuraly (abdominal injury) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to Dec. 23 (Approx. 2-to-4 Weeks); 4 games
- Zach Werenski (ankle); is on Injured Reserve on Dec. 29 (Approx. 4-to-6 Weeks); 3 games
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 144
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.
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.