Flyers
Flyers-Blue Jackets: Game 26 Preview
I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.
All posts by Kevin DursoPublished06 Dec 2018
(Photo: Kate Frese)
By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Flyers get back to some normalcy with their game on Thursday night. A new GM is in place and for now, it doesn't appear that any drastic changes will be made as Chuck Fletcher settles into the role.
The team on the ice can breathe a little bit, but needs to channel the energy from a character win in Pittsburgh that was led by their goaltender, especially as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team challenging for the Metro Division lead.
Game time is at 7 p.m.
Team Leaders
| Philadelphia Flyers | GP | G | A | P | Columbus Blue Jackets | GP | G | A | P |
| Claude Giroux | 25 | 9 | 21 | 30 | Cam Atkinson | 26 | 19 | 11 | 30 |
| Jake Voracek | 25 | 7 | 13 | 20 | Artemi Panarin | 26 | 7 | 22 | 29 |
| Sean Couturier | 25 | 10 | 9 | 19 | Pierre-Luc Dubois | 27 | 13 | 12 | 25 |
| Travis Konecny | 25 | 8 | 8 | 16 | Nick Foligno | 26 | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| Wayne Simmonds | 25 | 9 | 4 | 13 | Zach Werenski | 27 | 5 | 11 | 16 |
| Player to Watch | |
| 11 Travis Konecny | 13 Cam Atkinson |
| Last 5 Games: 3 G, 3 A, 6 P, E | Last 5 Games: 5 G, 2 A, 7 P, E |
| Goalie Matchup | |
| 41 Anthony Stolarz | 72 Sergei Bobrovsky |
| 3 GP, 1-1-0, 2.89 GAA, .912 SV% | 19 GP, 10-9-0, 3.04 GAA, .901 SV% |
Anthony Stolarz helped the Flyers steal a win in Pittsburgh, making 30 saves in his first win of the season. That's earned him another start on Thursday against Columbus.
Despite allowing eight goals for the second time this season, the Blue Jackets turn back to Sergei Bobrovsky in goal. Bobrovsky's numbers are not on par with the rest of his career, including an unusually high 3.04 GAA.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Injuries: Brian Elliott, Corban Knight
Scratches: Jordan Weal, Christian Folin
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| 28 Claude Giroux | 14 Sean Couturier | 11 Travis Konecny |
| 25 James van Riemsdyk | 19 Nolan Patrick | 17 Wayne Simmonds |
| 12 Michael Raffl | 21 Scott Laughton | 93 Jake Voracek |
| 23 Oskar Lindblom | 15 Jori Lehtera | 22 Dale Weise |
| Defense | ||
| 9 Ivan Provorov | 53 Shayne Gostisbehere | |
| 8 Robert Hagg | 47 Andrew MacDonald | |
| 6 Travis Sanheim | 3 Radko Gudas | |
| Goalie | ||
| 41 Anthony Stolarz |
Lineup Notes
There are no changes to the Flyers lineup after Saturday's win in Pittsburgh.
Blue Jackets Projected Lineup
Scratches: Anthony Duclair, Gabriel Carlsson
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
| 9 Artemi Panarin | 18 Pierre-Luc Dubois | 13 Cam Atkinson |
| 71 Nick Foligno | 38 Boone Jenner | 77 Josh Anderson |
| 17 Brandon Dubinsky | 10 Alexander Wennberg | 28 Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| 45 Lukas Sedlak | 20 Riley Nash | 37 Markus Hannikainen |
| Defense | ||
| 8 Zach Werenski | 3 Seth Jones | |
| 27 Ryan Murray | 65 Markus Nutivaara | |
| 58 David Savard | 4 Scott Harrington | |
| Goalie | ||
| 72 Sergei Bobrovsky |
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (27th, T-25th at home), Blue Jackets (22nd, 13th on road)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (30th, 29th at home), Blue Jackets (21st, 14th on road)
- Recent History vs. Blue Jackets
- Dec. 23, 2017 – Blue Jackets 2, Flyers 1 (F/SO) (at CBJ)
- Feb. 16, 2018 – Flyers 2, Blue Jackets 1 (F/OT) (at CBJ)
- Feb. 22, 2018 – Flyers 2, Blue Jackets 1 (at PHI)
- March 15, 2018 – Blue Jackets 5, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
- Oct. 18, 2018 – Blue Jackets 6, Flyers 3 (at CBJ)
- Flyers Leaders vs. Blue Jackets
- Claude Giroux – 26 GP, 8 G, 16 A, 24 P
- Travis Konecny – 8 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 P
- James van Riemsdyk – 16 GP, 7 G, 5 A, 12 P
- Jake Voracek – 22 GP, 5 G, 10 A, 15 P
- Milestone Watch
- James van Riemsdyk needs three points to reach 400 in his career.
Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
