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Game 44 Preview: Streaking Jackets host Flyers in key Metro clash

Dec 10, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Mathieu Olivier (24) and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler (24) fight during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Tuesday, January 14, 2024 – 7:00 PM
Nationwide Arena – Columbus, Ohio
TV: FDSNOH – Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Blog: Broad Street Hockey

Philadelphia Flyers (18-20-5, 41 points, 8th Metropolitan, 15th East)
at
Columbus Blue Jackets (20-17-6, 46 points, 4th Metropolitan, 8th East)

The Jackets are officially on a winning streak, earning victories in their last four games for the first time since February of 2022. Four games is apparently tied for the 17th longest winstreak in franchise history, which is a little bit sad. A win tonight would enter a tie for the ninth longest, the first five-game streak since December of 2019. Also a little sad. But it’s winning, so it’s all fun!

Speaking of fun, the Jackets and Flyers have let in the 31st and 30th most goals per game this season, so I’d recommend taking the over on this one.

Player to Watch

Kirill Marchenko

Zach Werenski, Sean Monahan (before he was injured), and Adam Fantilli (since Monahan was injured) have rightfully earned their roses this season, but somehow Kirill Marchenko has flown under the radar in Jackets circles this year. He has 18 goals and 47 points through 43 games this year, including 14 multi-point games. Recently, he’s also on a personal four-game point streak (2-3-5), and has the sixth most points in the NHL since December 6th (8-15-23 in 18 games). He’s also been driving play in a way that doesn’t get reflected in the stat sheet, especially since Monahan was injured. His success will be key to the Jackets’ success tonight and for the rest of the season.

Jackets Notes

The Jackets are 0-1-1 vs the Flyers so far this season, so hopefully they can get their first win over their division foe. … Columbus signed veteran winger and noted graphic design degree holder Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year, $775K extension for next season Monday morning. … Noise has been picking up around the Blue Jackets’ Stadium Series uniforms: The current rumor is that they’ll be released in the week after Ohio State plays in the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20th. … Brothers Cole and Owen Sillinger scored the respective game winners for the Blue Jackets and their AHL affiliate Cleveland Monsters, which has to be first time in a while that’s happened. … Daniil Tarasov returned from his conditioning stint with the Monsters with mixed results: He let in five goals on 30 shots on Friday, before making 34 saves in a 2-1 OTW for Cleveland Saturday.

The Other Bench

The Flyers are on the second leg of a back-to-back, having played the Florida Panthers last night in Philly. I’m writing this before then, so it was definitely a game a team won. … Between their last game vs the Jackets on December 21 and their game yesterday, the Flyers have gone 3-5-1 in nine games. … Travis Konecny has has a breakout season this year, including four points in Philadelphia’s 6-0 win over the Ducks on Saturday, and a visually pleasing 20-30-50 statline through 43 games.

Season Series

12/10/2024 – PHI 5 at CBJ 3
12/21/2024 – CBJ 4 at PHI 5 (OT)
1/14/2025 – PHI at CBJ
4/15/2025 – CBJ at PHI

Stats

PhiladelphiaColumbus
3.00 (15)GPG3.40 (5)
3.47 (30)GAPG3.51 (31)
15.8% (28)PP%24.1% (9)
78.8% (17)PK%73.4% (27)
48.5% (24)5v5 Shot Attempt %48.8% (22)
50.5% (13)5v5 Unblocked Shot Attempt %49.4% (18)
9.2% (9)5v5 Shooting %10.0% (5)
.885 (32)5v5 Save %.902 (25)
Travis Konecny, 20G LeaderKirill Marchenko, 18
Travis Konecny, 30A LeaderZach Werenski, 35
Travis Konecny, 50P LeaderZach Werenski, 48
Garnet Hathaway, 42PIM LeaderMatthieu Olivier, 81
9-9-4Home/Road14-5-3
4-5-1Last 107-2-1

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri VoronkovAdam FantilliKirill Marchenko
James van RiemsdykCole SillingerKent Johnson
Zach Aston-ReeseLuca Del Bel BelluzMattieu Olivier
Mikael PyyhtiaSean KuralyKevin Labanc
Zach WerenskiDante Fabbro
Denton MateychukIvan Provorov
Jake ChristiansenDamon Severson
Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Philadelphia Flyers

Owen TippettMorgan FrostTravis Konecny
Olle LycksellSean CouturierMatvei Michkov
Tyson FoersterNoah CatesBobby Brink
Scott LaughtonRyan PoehlingGarnet Hathaway
Cam YorkTravis Sanheim
Egor ZamulaRasmus Ristolainen
Nick SeelerJamie Drysdale
Ivan Fedotov
Samuel Ersson

Talking Points