Writer: Kevin Durso

Flyers-Blue Jackets: Game 72 Preview

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 Mar 2016

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Flyers close another back-to-back in Columbus

 

Back on the road, the Flyers avenged a weekend that wasn't in their favor with a win that pushed them back into the thick of the playoff race.

Now one point back of the final playoff spot, the Flyers have a chance to take over that spot, but have to avoid a down effort against a team well out of the playoff conversation.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have given the Flyers fits in years past, particularly in this very situation, and that is the challenge the Flyers face on Tuesday night.

The opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m.

Flyers Leaders GP G A P Blue Jackets Leaders GP G A P
Claude Giroux 68 19 41 60 Cam Atkinson 71 25 21 46
Wayne Simmonds 71 25 25 50 Scott Hartnell 70 21 23 44
Brayden Schenn 69 24 25 49 Boone Jenner 72 25 17 42
Jakub Voracek 62 10 39 49 Brandon Dubinsky 65 14 28 42
Shayne Gostisbehere 53 16 23 39 Brandon Saad 68 24 17 41
 
Player to Watch
12 Michael Raffl 38 Boone Jenner
Last 5 Games: 3 G, 3 A, 6 P, +3 Last 5 Games: 1 G, 2 A, 3 P, -3
 
Not only does Michael Raffl have two goals against the Blue Jackets this season, but he's been a point-producing machine of late. With six points in his last five games and a renewed energy after signing a contract extension, the Flyers forward has been vital in the Flyers crucial games of late.  
 
Boone Jenner has emerged as a strong goal scorer for the Blue Jackets, tied for the team lead this season with 25 goals. The Jackets haven't really seen consistent scoring from anyone of late, so look out for anyone with moderate production this season to jump on scoring chances and take advantage of mistakes.
 
Goalie Matchup
35 Steve Mason 72 Sergei Bobrovsky
18-16-8, 2.58 GAA, .916 SV% 12-16-1, 2.74 GAA, .908 SV%

The Flyers cancelled their morning skate following Monday night's win in Brooklyn, which seems to indicate that Steve Mason will be back between the pipes. Mason made 23 saves in the win on Monday and stopped all 19 shots against his former team on March 5.

Sergei Bobrovsky got a win in his last start against the Devils, but was riding a three-game losing streak before that. He has allowed three goals in each of his last four starts. Bobrovsky already has a win against the Flyers this season and is 4-1-0 with a 1.80 GAA in five career starts against his former team.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Scratches: Chris VandeVelde, Evgeny Medvedev, R.J. Umberger, Jordan Weal, Michael Del Zotto

Left Wing Center Right Wing
10 Brayden Schenn 28 Claude Giroux 17 Wayne Simmonds
12 Michael Raffl 14 Sean Couturier 89 Sam Gagner
93 Jake Voracek 52 Nick Cousins 24 Matt Read
21 Scott Laughton 78 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare 25 Ryan White
Defense    
47 Andrew MacDonald 53 Shayne Gostisbehere  
55 Nick Schultz 32 Mark Streit  
23 Brandon Manning 3 Radko Gudas  
Goalie    
35 Steve Mason    

The Flyers will use the same lineup as Monday night's win against the Islanders.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (17th, 10th on road), Blue Jackets (T-18th, 26th at home)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (T-21st, 15th on road), Blue Jackets (17th, 13th at home) 
  • Recent History vs. Blue Jackets
    • March 5, 2016 – The Flyers rolled to a 6-0 win over the Blue Jackets at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers took a 2-0 lead in the first on goals by Michael Raffl and Radko Gudas. Sam Gagner and Claude Giroux scored 10 seconds apart late in the second to extend the lead to 4-0. Nick Cousins and Gudas scored in the third to cap off the win. Steve Mason made 19 saves for his 30th career shutout.
    • Dec. 19, 2015 – The Flyers fell to the Blue Jackets, 3-2, in a shootout in Columbus. Brandon Saad opened the scoring at the six-minute mark of the first and that lead carried until late in the second when Ryan Murray made it a 2-0 game. The Flyers rallied in the third for goals from Scott Laughton and Jake Voracek, but fell in the sixth round of the shootout on a goal by Brandon Dubinsky. Steve Mason made 35 saves on 37 shots and stopped four of six shootout attempts.
    • Dec. 5, 2015 – The Blue Jackets claimed a 4-1 victory in Philadelphia. Nick Foligno and Jack Johnson struck for first period goals to give Columbus a 2-0 lead. Michael Raffl closed the gap to one early in the second, but the Flyers would fall behind further on another goal by Foligno and one from Scott Hartnell. Steve Mason made 30 saves in the loss.
  • Flyers leaders vs. Blue Jackets
    • Jakub Voracek – 12 games, 4 goals, 10 assists, 14 points
    • Radko Gudas – 6 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points
    • Sam Gagner – 27 games, 11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points
    • Steve Mason – 8 games, 3-3-2, 2.62 GAA, .909 Sv%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Brayden Schenn needs 1 assist to reach 100 as a Flyer.
    • Jake Voracek needs 5 goals to reach 100 as a Flyer.
    • Sean Couturier needs 4 assists to reach 100 in his career.
    • Claude Giroux needs 5 points to pass Reggie Leach for 12th all-time in Flyers history.

Where to Watch
TV: CSN
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.