Game Preview: Losers Of Seven Straight, Blue Jackets Look To Break The Schneid Against Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

22–36–11 (55 points; .399%)

7:00 P.M. – TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH WELLS FARGO CENTER PHILADELPHIA, PA

Bally Sports Ohio ESPN+ (Out of Network)

It seems like the Columbus Blue Jackets have been better than seven straight losses, but that's where they are — and the club will hope to end that streak Tuesday night when they face the Philadelphia Flyers.

For Columbus, it's their third straight (and fourth overall) home-and-home of the season. The Blue Jackets looked lifeless for most of the two games against the New York Islanders but looked much better against the Boston Bruins, despite the losses.

Depending on what kind of a fan you are, the loss was either frustrating because it wasn't a win, or because — even in defeat — the Blue Jackets picked up what some would consider to be a meaningless point in the standings. With just a dozen games left in the season, the Blue Jackets have a very real possibility of picking somewhere between 8th and 12th with their own pick. But wins won't help that cause, so while it may be tough to root against them, there are just as many (or more) reasons to be satisfied with picking up no points.

RE: FLYERS

Think it's been a rough season for the Blue Jackets? The Columbus organization is living on the 18th green of Muirfield compared to the Flyers, who are looking for the keys to their 1994 GMC in the rough off the third fairway. Philadelphia hasn't won three in a row since before Christmas, and have only won consecutive games three times since that point, as well. After a shootout win Sunday night over the New York Rangers (ending a four-game losing streak), the Flyers have a chance for a to make it four.

Former Blue Jacket Cam Atkinson has went scoreless in three straight games, and is stuck on 50 points for the season. He leads Philadelphia in goals (23) and is second in assists (27) behind Travis Konecny, who has 31. With Claude Girioux traded to Florida at the deadline, Atkinson and Konecny are the only active Flyers to have more than 35 points. By comparison, the Blue Jackets have a half dozen players at 40+ on the season.

STORYLINES

• DON'T GET BULLIED AROUND
  Brad Marchand and the Bruins took liberties with Columbus several times in the first period of Monday's overtime loss, but the Blue Jackets finally said enough is enough following Marchand's dirty hit on defenseman Andrew Peeke. The team came out for the second period with a physical presence that hadn't been seen yet this season, and they were a better team for it. Bring Monday's intensity (beyond the first) on a consistent basis, and this team instantly levels up.
   
• ELVIS WATCH: WILL HE STAY ABOVE .900?
  With 34 saves on 37 shots against the Bruins, Elvis Merzlikins season save percentage went from .902 to .903. He's been shaky this season but finishing strong will be a big storyline over the final dozen games of the season. Jean-Francois Berube is likely to get a start or two over the next few weeks, but Merzlikins really needs to use this opportunity to end the season with confidence. 

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