It is going to be a dogfight every night in the Metropolitan Division, and the Philadelphia Flyers have been coming away from each fray on top. Although they lost their previous game against the Blue Jackets, they have offensively found a solid groove since the beginning of the New Year.
Despite losing their starting goaltender, Brian Elliott for a period, the Flyers have stayed afloat with a well-rounded approach. An aggressive Blue Jackets team could put them on their heels.
Matchup:
Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets
Nationwide Arena, 7 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
What to Watch For:
- The Flyers' Claude Giroux is on fire, and he is a player that will need to be contained if the Blue Jackets hope to have a chance. He was named the number one star this past week by the NHL and is on a hot streak unmatched this year
- The Blue Jackets special teams will need to be special if they want to keep pace in the Metropolitan Division. Their penalty kill has been horrid, and the power play is improving. If they can get them on the same plane, they'll be in good shape for this game.
- Alexander Wennberg, Nick Foligno, and Oliver Bjorkstrand excelled against the Toronto Maple Leafs despite tough matchups. Bjorkstrand hopes to extend his point-scoring streak to four games.
Tale of the Tape:
Flyers
28-19-10 / 3rd in Metropolitan Division
PP: 21.60% (8th) / PK: 75.00% (28th)
5v5 Corsi: 49.58% (18th)
Blue Jackets
29-24-4 / 6th in Metropolitan Division
PP: 14.7% (31st) / PK: 75.7% (27th)
5v5 Corsi: 51.55% (9th)
