Game #80 Preview: Blue Jackets in Philadelphia to take on Flyers

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – 7:00 P.M. EST
Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV: Bally Sports Ohio; Radio: 97.1 FM
Opponent’s Blog: Broad Street Hockey

Columbus Blue Jackets (24-47-8, 56 points, 8th Metro, 16th East)

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Philadelphia Flyers (29-38-13, 71 points, 7th Metro, 14th East)

The Columbus Blue Jackets head to Philadelphia to be the opponent in the Flyers’ final home game of the season. Losers of seven straight, you’d have to imagine John Tortorella and his Flyers want to give the fans a win in their final appearance at the Wells Fargo Center. Columbus should be more than happy to oblige them.

Player to Watch

Kevin Hayes

It’s no secret that big changes are coming in Philly, and Tortorella has already foreshadowed a few of them. Center, Kevin Hayes, has seen his ice-time cut drastically in the second half of the season, and can see the writing on the wall in terms of his future n Philly, especially given his rocky relationship with Torts.

An article from the Athletic had some great quotes.

“I’ve accepted my role with Torts a while ago,” Hayes said on Tuesday. “He has an opinion on my game, I have an opinion on my game. I think they’re a little bit different.”

Could Hayes be auditioning for his future team tonight when he squares off against Columbus? In what is most likely his last home game as a Flyer, look for Hayes to have a big game.

Jackets Notes

Who are the lucky players from Cleveland that will get the call-up for today’s game. Could we see Cole Sillinger rewarded for his strong performances in recent games? TFW should be a no brainer, and  I wouldn’t mind seeing Jiricek get another game. Thankfully the Monsters won last night and don’t play again until Friday, so the Jackets won’t be stealing players out the Cleveland lineup. The Blue Jackets have won 2 of 3 meetings this year against Philadelphia, putting up 13 goals in the process. We could see a high-scoring affair tonight.

The Other Bench

Even though they’re 0-6-1 in their last 7 games, Torts said he’s liked his team’s effort lately. They played Boston tough in their most recent matchup, but came up short. He’s playing the young kids as the team is taking its’ lumps and as Torts would say, is “going through the process.”

Defenseman Tony DeAngelo has been scratched for the past three games despite being the teams’ leading scorer from the backend. When asked about his lineup decision in a presser, in true Tortorella fashion, he didn’t mince words. He has had even less to say to DeAngelo himself.

Never change Torts.

Season Series

11/10/22 CBJ 5 vs PHI 2
11/15/22 CBJ 5 vs PHI 4
12/20/22 CBJ 3 @ PHI 5

Stats

Projected Lineups

Columbus Blue Jackets

Philadelphia Flyers