Game #77 Preview/gamethread: 5th Line Appreciation night vs. the Flyers

Saturday, April 6, 2024 – 7:00 PM EDT
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Site: Broad Street Hockey

Philadelphia Flyers (36-30-11, 83 points, 4th Metro, 8th East)

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Columbus Blue Jackets (25-39-12, 62 points, 8th Metro, 16th East)

It’s 5th Line Appreciation Night, in the penultimate game at Nationwide Arena this season.

Player to Watch

Nick Blankenburg

The fan favorite returns! With Jake Bean out for the season with a broken hand, Blanks got the call from Cleveland. He’ll be playing on his off-hand side on the third pair with David Jiricek. It’s been a tough season for him, as injuries limited him to just 21 games with the Monsters (3 goals, 10 assists, 20 PIM, +5 rating). He is pointless in 6 games with the Blue Jackets.

Jackets Notes

Jet Greaves will start in goal, after allowing just one goal against in relief duty on Thursday. Daniil Tarasov is still out, but there has been no prognosis announced. Malcolm Subban was recalled from Cleveland to back up Greaves … Trey Fix-Wolansky was returned to the Monsters … Johnny Gaudreau will return after missing Thursday’s game with illness … Zach Werenski has been nominated by the Columbus writers for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. He earned this through having a career-best season after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury.

The Other Bench

The Flyers have lost 6 straight games, and will fall out of a playoff spot if the Penguins hold on to defeat the Lightning this afternoon … Captain Sean Couturier is out with a shoulder injury … Ivan Fedotov made his first NHL start in goal last night, after a lengthy ordeal that delayed his departure from Russia.

Season Series

10/12/2023 PHI 4 @ CBJ 2
11/19/2023 CBJ 2 @ PHI 5
01/04/2024 CBJ 3 @ PHI 2 (SO)
04/06/2024 PHI @ CBJ

Stats

Projected Lines

Columbus Blue Jackets

Philadelphia Flyers