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Columbus Blue Jackets: Flyers Present Power Play Opportunities

By Lansing Murphy|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 15: Cam Atkinson #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his third period empty-net goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with his teammates on the bench on March 15, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The goal was his third of the game. The Blue Jackets went on to defeat the Flyers 5-3. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 15: Cam Atkinson #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his third period empty-net goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with his teammates on the bench on March 15, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The goal was his third of the game. The Blue Jackets went on to defeat the Flyers 5-3. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Columbus Blue Jackets have a prime opportunity to turn around their special teams woes agains the Flyers.

The Columbus Blue Jackets power play is off to a rough start. Well, it’s more like a cold streak. And that cold streak is going on a year and a half. It’s not great in the Jackets special team world. But the Flyers game on Thursday could be where it turns around.

It’s only been five games but the Jackets power play is converting at 17.4%, good for 19th best in the NHL. Or 13th worst in the league, depending on if you’re a glass half full or empty type of fan.

Mediocre at best though considering the pieces the CBJ have on their top unit. But the Jackets have already played the top two penalty killing teams in the NHL this season.

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Tampa Bay is leading the league in penalty killing in 2018 with a perfect record. Through four games they have killed off every penalty including the four they had against the CBJ. That includes one double minor early in the second period.

Colorado is second in the league in penalty killing with a 93% success rate. Through six games the Avs have only given up three power play goals and one of them was to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Philadelphia Flyers come into Thursday night’s game with the 7th worst penalty kill rate in the league. They have allowed four power play goals in their last three games including a power play goal to Florida Tuesday night.

They are still without Michal Neuvirth, and are using a rotation of Calvin Pickard and Brian Elliott. Not exactly the world beaters you’d like to have in the cage when your opponent is on the man advantage either.

With the Jackets special team in a rut, a matchup against a team with their own special teams woes is exactly what the doctor ordered for this Jackets squad.

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