After losing a game where they led 3-0 after the first period, the Columbus Blue Jackets (43-18-6) are back in action as they face the Philadelphia Flyers (31-28-8).
In a Metropolitan matchup, the Columbus Blue Jackets travel to the “City of Brotherly Love” to take on the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers are currently sitting in sixth in the division while the Jackets hold third.
Both teams are coming into Monday’s game reeling from a weekend loss to an Atlantic Divison opponent. The Flyers dropped to the Boston Bruins 2-1 and the Blue Jackets blew a 3-0 first period lead to the Buffalo Sabres to lose 5-3 on Saturday.
This is the second time that these two teams have met this year with the first coming on Jan. 8. On that day, the Blue Jackets edged out the Flyers in overtime, winning 2-1. Captain Nick Foligno scored the game-winning goal in that game to prevent a three-game losing streak for the Jackets.
Unfortunately for Columbus, the CBJ captain is a game-time decision due to an illness for Monday’s game. Foligno left morning skate early after feeling ill according to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch.
#CBJ Nick Foligno is ill. Game-time decision tonight vs. #Flyers
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 13, 2017
In other injury news, defenseman Ryan Murray was diagnosed with a broken hand. He had surgery to repair the broken bone Monday but will miss four to six weeks. Forwards Josh Anderson and Matt Calvert will return to the ice after missing time with a lower body injury and oblique strain respectively. With both coming back, T.J. Tynan will return to the Cleveland Monsters.
Related Story: CBJ Suffering From Injury Bug
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Something to watch out for is the Columbus power play versus the Philadelphia penalty kill unit. Columbus is highly effective in scoring on power plays while the Flyers rank 22nd in the league in PK percentage. If Columbus can take advantage of that weakness, it could be a rough night for Philly.
While both teams are very good at getting shots on goal, neither allow many on their own end so something is going to have to give or we’re going to have a very low-scoring game. Neither team are likely to fight very much either with both sitting around the same spot in fights per game.
Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to be in net for Columbus after having Saturday off due to the back-to-back. On the other end, former Blue Jacket Steve Mason will most likely be starting. Mason was the franchise’s record holder for wins in a season until Bobrovsky broke it just over a week ago. Bobrovsky is having a career year, leading the league in wins at 36 and holding second in goals against average. Mason isn’t doing nearly as hot, posting a 19-18-7 record this year.
Although injuries and illnesses still plaguing the Jackets, Columbus should be slightly rejuvenated with the returns of Calvert and Anderson no matter if the captain is able to go.