Photographer: Kate Frese
Game 27 Preview: Flyers face Blue Jackets in Columbus
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 DursoPublished09 Dec 2014
A lengthy six-game losing streak finally came to an end on Saturday as the Flyers held off a rally from the Kings.
Their last win before that was at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
That's the opponent, this time from Columbus, on Tuesday night as the Flyers look to build on Saturday's win. The opening face-off is set for 7 p.m.
The Flyers have been getting the secondary scoring needed to return to their winning ways in recent games. While scoring has been at a premium – the Flyers scored seven goals in the three-game West Coast trip – sources other than Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek have been scoring.
Wayne Simmonds has three goals in his last two games, including the game-winning goal on Saturday. Giroux also scored in Saturday's win.
Vincent Lecavalier remains a scratch as the Flyers continue to try different combinations for success.
One thing that remains constant is the goalie. Steve Mason is back in net for the fourth straight game. He is 5-9-3 with a 2.67 GAA and .918 save percentage.
Columbus enters Tuesday's game with a 9-15-2 record and 20 points in the standings, one of the few teams trailing the Flyers.
Ryan Johansen has been one of the few constants on the team, netting 25 points – nine goals and 16 assists. Nick Foligno leads the team with 11 goals and has added 12 assists.
Former Flyer Scott Hartnell sits third on the team in points with five goals and 11 assists.
Columbus is also expected to get Brandon Dubinsky back for his first action of the season.
Defensemen Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski lead the Blue Jackets on the blue line.
In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky, also a former Flyer, will get the start. Bobrovsky is 8-8-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .917 save percentage.
- Power Play: Flyers (T-3th, 13th on road), Blue Jackets (6th, 15th at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (27th, 30th on road), Blue Jackets (26th, 26th at home)
- The Flyers have split the two meetings with Columbus this season. They were defeated by the Blue Jackets on Nov. 14, 4-3, and picked up a 4-2 win on Nov. 22.
- Milestone Watch: R.J. Umberger plays his 700th NHL game tonight and needs one assist for 200 in his career. Mark Streit is playing in his 600th NHL game tonight. Andrew MacDonald needs one point for 100 in his career.
Flyers scratches: Vincent Lecavalier, Luke Schenn, Carlo Colaiacovo
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Wayne Simmonds-Scott Laughton-Brayden Schenn
Line 3: R.J. Umberger-Sean Couturier-Matt Read
Line 4: Zac Rinaldo–Chris VandeVelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare
D-Pair 1: Nick Grossmann-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Braydon Coburn-Nick Schultz
D-Pair 3: Andrew MacDonald-Michael Del Zotto
Goalie: Steve Mason
Where to Watch
TV: TCN
Radio: 93.3 WMMR
Kevin Durso is the Managing Editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
