Flyers-Blue Jackets: Game 71 Preview

2-22-2018_FlyersvsBlueJackets_2nd_credKateFrese-5(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

With the regular season winding down, the Metropolitan Division is in an absolute dogfight to the finish. In the third playoff spot, the Flyers sit four points behind Pittsburgh and Washington with 81 points, while New Jersey (80 points) and Columbus (79) sit right on their heels in both wild card spots.

For the Flyers, they have a chance to gain some ground, hosting that same Blue Jackets team that can tie them with two points. Though the Flyers snapped a five-game skid last weekend, they took a step back with a home loss to Vegas, so they'll take all they can get here.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Columbus Blue Jackets GP G A P
Claude Giroux 70 25 57 82 Artemi Panarin 70 21 40 61
Jake Voracek 70 16 59 75 Seth Jones 70 14 34 48
Sean Couturier 70 29 35 64 Pierre-Luc Dubois 70 15 22 37
Shayne Gostisbehere 66 10 41 51 Oliver Bjorkstrand 70 10 25 35
Wayne Simmonds 63 21 18 39 Zach Werenski 66 14 18 32
 
Player to Watch
28 Claude Giroux 3 Seth Jones
Last 5 Games: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P, +1 Last 5 Games: 4 G, 3 A, 7 P, +3
 
Claude Giroux continues to amaze this season, and with points in his last seven games, he's recorded a point in 11 of his last 12 games. Now the longest-tenured athlete in Philadelphia, two points can move him into a tie with Eric Lindros for fifth all-time in Flyers history. In three games against the Blue Jackets this season, the captain has recorded a goal and two assists.
 
The Blue Jackets enter tonight's game with a six-game win streak, and Seth Jones is a big reason why. In his second full season with the Jackets, the blueliner has already set career highs in goals and assists. Columbus boasts a dominant defensive corps, and Jones leads the way there.
 
Goalie Matchup
34 Petr Mrazek 29 Marc-Andre Fleury
12-11-4, 2.88 GAA, .906 SV% 24-9-3, 2.16 GAA, .930 SV%

Petr Mrazek will start for the Flyers, making his third consecutive start. He made 26 saves on 29 shots in Monday's loss to Vegas, after a dominant outing against Winnipeg that saw him allow one goal.

With wins in three of four starts this March, Sergei Bobrovsky will take the reigns for the Jackets. He turned in a strong 38-save performance in a 5-2 win against Montreal on Monday.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott, Michal Neuvirth, Robert Hagg, Johnny Oduya

Scratches: Jordan Weal, Dale Weise, Taylor Leier

Left Wing Center Right Wing
28 Claude Giroux 14 Sean Couturier 11 Travis Konecny
54 Oskar Lindblom 19 Nolan Patrick 93 Jake Voracek
12 Michael Raffl 51 Valtteri Filppula 17 Wayne Simmonds
15 Jori Lehtera 21 Scott Laughton 24 Matt Read
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
6 Travis Sanheim 47 Andrew MacDonald  
23 Brandon Manning 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
34 Petr Mrazek    

Lineup Notes

Expect the Flyers to roll out the same lines as Monday night. Per NHL.com's Adam Kimelman, Brian Elliott was on the ice for morning skate.

Blue Jackets Projected Lineup

Injuries: Reilly Smith, Will Carrier, Malcolm Subban, Luca Sbisa, James Neal, Oscar Lindberg

Scratches: Jon Merrill, Zach Whitecloud

Left Wing Center Right Wing
9 Artemi Panarin 18 Pierre-Luc Dubois 13 Cam Atkinson
22 Sonny Milano 71 Nick Foligno 28 Oliver Bjorkstrand
38 Boone Jenner 10 Alexander Wennberg 26 Thomas Vanek
11 Matt Calvert 17 Brandon Dubinsky 55 Mark Letestu
Defense    
8 Zach Werenski 3 Seth Jones  
7 Jack Johnson 65 Markus Nuutivaara  
23 Ian Cole 58 David Savard  
Goalie    
72 Sergei Bobrovsky    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (18th, 22nd at home), Blue Jackets (29th, 31st on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, 30th at home), Blue Jackets (24th, 30th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Blue Jackets
    • Feb. 22, 2018 – Flyers 2, Blue Jackets 1 (at PHI)
    • Feb. 16, 2018 – Flyers 2, Blue Jackets 1 – F/OT (at CBJ)
    • Dec. 23, 2017 – Blue Jackets 2, Flyers 1 – F/OT (at CBJ)
  • Milestone Watch
    • Sean Couturier remains one goal from 100 in his career.
    • Jake Voracek is three assists away 300 as a Flyer.
    • Valtteri Filppula is six assists away from 200 in his career

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 93.3 WMMR

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