Once again, the Flyers are back in NWA to do battle with the CBJ in a Hulu and ESPN promotion.
It has been less than one week since the teams played, where Columbus defeated the Flyers 5-2 in what was Joonas Korpisalo’s first win since March 2022; and Carter Hart’s first regulation loss of the season. Captain Boone Jenner had 2 goals; and Johnny Gaudreau and Zach Werenski had 3 points each.
The Blue Jackets are pretty black and blue since the last time these teams met a week ago, without the services of Laine, Werenski, and Blankenburg; however, have the returning Kent Johnson, Erik Gudbranson, and Sean Kuraly.
Tonight, Columbus is scratching Jack Roslovic. The Columbus kid has only 1 goal in 14 games, along with 5 assists. The hope is to motivate him and get him sparked to get onto the scoreboard.
Philly is without Wade Allison.
Projected Lineups
Philadelphia Flyers
Owen Tippett—Kevin Hayes—Travis Konecny Noah Cates—Scott Laughton—Zach MacEwen Kiefer Bellows—Morgan Frost—Joel Farabee Nicolas Deslauriers—Lukas Sedlak—Tanner Laczynski
Ivan Provorov—Anthony DeAngelo Travis Sanheim—Justin Braun Nick Seeler—Rasmus Ristalonen
Felix Sandstrom Carter Hart
Scratched — Kiefer Bellows, Yegor Zamula Injured — Ryan Ellis, Sean Couturier, Bobby Brink, Patrick Brown, James van Reimsdyk, Cam Atkinson, Wade Allison
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau—Boone Jenner—Emil Bemstrom Yegor Chinakov—Cole Sillinger—Gustav Nyquist Liam Foudy—Brendan Gaunce—Kent Johnson Eric Robinson—Sean Kuraly—Mathieu Oliver
Vladislav Gavrikov—Andrew Peeke Jake Bean—Marcus Bjork Jake Christiansen—Erik Gudbranson
Joonas Korpisalo Elvis Merzlikins
Scratched — Gavin Bayreuther, Jack Roslovic Injured — Jakub Voracek, Joona Luoto, Justin Danforth, Adam Boqvist, Patrik Laine, Zach Werenski, Nick Blankenburg,
Player to Watch
Philadelphia — Travis Konecny — the breakout star of the season. He and Tortorella’s system seem to mesh, as he as 17 points in 15 games. Last week, had one assist and was a -4 against Columbus, but is their top guy going.
Columbus — Boone Jenner — speaking of motivation, the leader has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 games, and needs to continue that to inspire his team.
Prediction
3-1 Philadelphia
More to come …