Flyers

Flyers-Blue Jackets: Game 34

By
Kevin Durso
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Kevin Durso Sports Editor

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 Durso
Sports Editor

Published22 Dec 2018

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12-6-2018_FlyersvsBlueJackets_3rd_credKateFrese-2

(Photo: Kate Frese)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor Flyers-Blue Jackets: Game 34

It's certainly a new era for the Flyers. Their second straight win came on Thursday, and it came courtesy of the penalty kill and goaltending.

The Flyers have undergone tons of changes and are finally settling into a state of normalcy again with Scott Gordon behind the bench and Carter Hart in goal.

The Flyers final home game of 2018 comes against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team that got the better of the Flyers in overtime earlier this month.

Game time is at 1 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Columbus Blue Jackets GP G A P
Claude Giroux 33 12 29 40 Cam Atkinson 33 20 15 35
Jake Voracek 33 9 17 26 Artemi Panarin 32 9 25 34
Sean Couturier 31 13 12 25 Pierre-Luc Dubois 34 13 15 28
Travis Konecny 32 9 11 20 Seth Jones 27 6 14 20
Shayne Gostisbehere 32 4 11 15 Nick Foligno 33 9 10 19
 
Player to Watch
14 Sean Couturier 3 Seth Jones
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 2 A, 5 P, -3 Last 5 Games: 2 G, 3 A, 5 P, -2
 
Sean Couturier was absent from the final five minutes of Thursday's game after a hit into the boards that went unpenalized. Couturier is going to play despite the hit and a visit to the quiet room. Couturier has been working well with new linemate Jake Voracek in the last two games, so watch that duo as they look to build more success after connecting for a goal in the last game. 
 
Seth Jones scored twice against the Flyers in the last meeting in Philadelphia, including getting the game-winner in overtime. Jones has been one of the top defensemen in the league in terms of offensive numbers and with Columbus on the power play, they will look to set him up for chances.
 
Goalie Matchup
79 Carter Hart 72 Sergei Bobrovsky
2 GP, 2-0-0, 1.50 GAA, .944 SV% 25 GP, 14-10-1, 2.78 GAA, .908 SV%

It's worked pretty well in the first two games. Carter Hart will get a third-straight start on Saturday. Hart was impressive in his last game, making 31 saves for his second win in the NHL.

Sergei Bobrovsky looked shaky in his last game in Philadelphia early before stopping 23 shots on his way to a win in overtime. He was pulled after allowing three goals in the first period in his next start against Washington. Since then, Bobrovsky is 3-0-1, has allowed one goal per game and has one shutout, starting to return to form.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Injuries: Brian Elliott, Anthony Stolarz, Corban Knight

Scratches: Jori Lehtera, Jordan Weal, Christian Folin

Left Wing Center Right Wing
25 James van Riemsdyk 28 Claude Giroux 11 Travis Konecny
17 Wayne Simmonds 14 Sean Couturier 93 Jake Voracek
21 Scott Laughton 19 Nolan Patrick 12 Michael Raffl
23 Oskar Lindblom 44 Phil Varone 22 Dale Weise
Defense    
9 Ivan Provorov 6 Travis Sanheim  
53 Shayne Gostisbehere 8 Robert Hagg  
47 Andrew MacDonald 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
79 Carter Hart    

Lineup Notes

No changes expected to the lineup for Saturday's game.

Blue Jackets Projected Lineup

Scratches: Lukas Sedlak, Dean Kukan 

Left Wing Center Right Wing
9 Artemi Panarin 18 Pierre-Luc Dubois 13 Cam Atkinson
71 Nick Foligno 10 Alex Wennberg 91 Anthony Duclair
28 Oliver Bjorkstrand 38 Boone Jenner 77 Josh Anderson
37 Markus Hannikainen 17 Brandon Dubinsky 20 Riley Nash
Defense    
27 Ryan Murray 3 Seth Jones  
8 Zach Werenski 58 David Savard  
4 Scott Harrington 65 Markus Nutivaara  
Goalie    
72 Sergei Bobrovsky    

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (31st, T-28th at home), Blue Jackets (T-26th, T-17th on road)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-28th, T-22nd at home), Blue Jackets (T-14th, T-11th on road) 
  • Recent History vs. Blue Jackets
    • Oct. 18, 2018 – Blue Jackets 6, Flyers 3 (at CBJ)
    • Dec. 6, 2018 – Blue Jackets 4, Flyers 3 (F/OT) (at PHI)
  • Flyers Leaders vs. Blue Jackets
    • Travis Konecny – 9 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 P
    • Claude Giroux – 27 GP, 9 G, 17 A, 26 P
    • Travis Sanheim – 4 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P
    • James van Riemsdyk – 17 GP, 7 G, 5 A, 12 P
  • Milestone Watch
    • Jake Voracek needs one point to reach 600 in his career
    • Wayne Simmonds needs three goals to reach 200 as a Flyer.
    • James van Riemsdyk needs three assists to reach 200 in his career.

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic