Game #6 Preview: Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets

Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets
Thursday, October 18, 2018 – 7:00 EST
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TV: Fox Sports Ohio – Radio: 97.1 WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Broad Street Hockey

Philadelphia Flyers, 3-3-0, 6 points, 5th Metro, 11th East
@
Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-2-0, 6 points, 3rd Metro, 6th East

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to get back to their winning ways tonight as they welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to Nationwide Arena. Columbus had a night to forget in their last outing as the team was drubbed in Tampa Bay by the Lighting to the tune of 8-2. It was the most goals allowed in a single game in Sergei Bobrovsky’s career, and the goaltender noted after the game that he was happy Torts let him stay on the ice to work through his issues and correct mistakes.

Columbus could use these two points tonight to maintain pace with the rest if the Eastern Conference leaders (and to jump ahead of the Ottawa Senators in the standings because, come on). Every point matters, as we saw last season – Columbus snuck in with one point to spare last season. Defending home ice is of paramount importance. Sergei Bobrovsky will get the start in net opposite Brian Elliott tonight.

Player To Watch

Wayne Simmonds

Wayne Simmonds has been hot to start this season. In six games to open the season, Simmonds has scored five goals and registered one assist. Simmonds also has 16 penalty minutes to go along with 19 shots, averaging around four per game in just 15 minutes of ice time per night. Simmonds has traditionally played well against the Columbus Blue Jackets, posting 10-6-16 in 33 career games against the Jackets. Eight of those goals have come at even strength for Simmonds.

With the signing of James van Riemsdyk, Simmonds’ role was in doubt in Philadelphia. However, due to injury, Simmonds has maintained his role and has been scoring at a point per game clip to open the year. Columbus must be mindful every time Simmonds is on the ice, and a tall task stands in front of a struggling defensive corps tonight to keep the high flying Flyers offense in check.

Jackets Notes

The Blue Jackets will make no lineup changes from the team that got blown out in Tampa Bay. It is possible Torts wants that group to work together and put that game behind them as a unit. Sergei Bobrovsky, as mentioned, gets the start against his former club, and he has a 10-3-1 record in 14 career games against the Flyers, including 2 shutouts and a 1.91 goals against average to go along with a .933 save percentage. Also, this note should make all Blue Jackets fans happy:

Torts was asked for an update on Seth Jones earlier today, after practice, and declined to give one.

On @971thefan this afternoon, he said Jones could be back on the early part of 4 to 6 weeks & said he’s skated the past two days w/skills coach Kenny McCudden.#CBJ

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) October 17, 2018

The Other Bench

The Philadelphia Flyers come to Columbus on the heels of a shootout victory over the Florida Panthers Tuesday night. After falling behind early, Philadelphia scored 5 goals in the second period before winning in a shootout. Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek lead the way in scoring for the Flyers with eight points apiece. As mentioned, Brian Elliott will get the start after being pulled in the third period of Tuesday’s game that saw him allow four goals on 23 shots. Nolan Patrick will miss the game due to injury.

Gritty, sadly, will not be in attendance.

Season Series

10/18/2018 PHI @ CBJ
12/06/2018 CBJ @ PHI
12/22/2018 CBJ @ PHI
02/28/2018 PHI @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lineups