(Preview 3:30 PM, EST)

The longest road trip of the season could hardly have gotten off to a more disastrous start for the Flyers (19-9-7). Not only were they blown out by Chicago, they also saw Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell go down to injury. Tonight is a gut check game when the Flyers go to Columbus to take on Ken Hitchcock's Blue Jackets (14-16-4).

Columbus also suffered a tough setback when it lost Derick Brassard (shoulder) for the rest of the season. The rookie had been second on the team in scoring, and the club leader in assists.

The Blue Jackets have struggled of late, but the Flyers can ill-afford to cut corners the way they did last night. Obviously, the main focus will be on containing Rick Nash and solving Steve Mason.

But R.J. Umberger will be motivated to play against his former team, and several veteran Columbus players have enjoyed good success against the Flyers in the past. Fredrik Modin, for instance, has struggled of late but has scored a dozen regular-season career goals against the Flyers.


Possible Flyers lines (subject to change)

Gagne - Richards - Knuble
Giroux - Carter - Lupul
Kalinski - Metropolit - Asham
Cote - Powe - Gratton

Coburn - Carle
Vaananen - Sbisa
Alberts - Jones

Niittymaki
[Biron]


Contact Bill at [email protected]

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