The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road for the first time in the calendar year. Their clash this time is with the Philadelphia Flyers from the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Puckdrop for the third meeting of four is at 7pm. Broadcast is on CSN and Bally Sports Ohio.

Philadelphia has been a strong team to start the first half of the season, maybe the surprise of the Eastern Conference. With players like Sean Walker and Rasmus Ristalonen continuing to come up in trade rumors, the young developing core has held on under Tortorella.

Travis Konecny and Joel Farabee both have 7 points in the last five games for Philadelphia, despite the team losing their last two games. Carter Hart and Samuel Ersson both have 0.900 or above save percentages.

Columbus has seen the Russian line cool off, and the backup goalie position become impossible to hold. The returning Daniil Tarasov and the preseason claim Spencer Martin are both under 0.900. Elvis has the losing record and a 0.907. Adam Fantilli has 4 points in his last five. Johnny Gaudreau has 14 in his last 15.

Adam Boqvist is back at practice as the blue line continues to return to full strength. He is with the team on the road. The others including Michigan defenders Zach Werenski and Nick Blankenburg remain out. Same with forwards Boone Jenner, Sean Kuraly, and Patrik Laine.

Expect Elvis Merzlikins v Carter Hart.

Projected Lineups


Philadelphia Flyers

Joel Farabee—Sean Couturier—Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett—Morgan Frost—Bobby Brink
Tyson Forester—Ryan Phoeling—Cam Atkinson
Marc Staal—Scott Laughton—Garnet Hathaway

Cam York—Travis Sanhiem
Nick Seeler—Sean Walker
Egor Zamula—Rasmus Ristalonen

Carter Hart
Samuel Ersson

Injured — Noah Cates, Ryan Ellis,

Columbus Blue Jackets

Johnny Gaudreau—Adam Fantilli—Justin Danforth
Yegor Chinakov—Dmitry Voronkov—Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson—Cole Sillinger—Emil Bemstrom
Alexandre Texier—Brendan Gaunce—Jack Roslovic

Ivan Provorov—Damon Severson
Jake Bean—Erik Gudbranson
Jake Christiansen—David Jiricek

Daniil Tarasov
Elvis Merzlikins

Scratched — Mathieu Olivier, Andrew Peeke, Spencer Martin
Injured — Zach Werenski, Boone Jenner, Patrik Laine, Nick Blankenburg, Sean Kuraly,

Players to Watch

Philadelphia - Travis Sanhiem — a resurgence season for a defender that was almost moved to the Blues with Kevin Hayes.

Columbus - Erik Gudbranson — Torts in the building, the toughness is a must to have in this game.


Predicted Goal Score

PHI - 4

CBJ - 5


More to come…

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