The countdown is on and only 12 games separate the Blue Jackets from the end of the regular season.
They've built themselves a nice cushion by winning five straight, but with the Florida Panthers on a tear, their eyes are set on the Philadelphia Flyers for the third and final guaranteed divisional playoff spot. In what could be the biggest game to date this season, here's what to expect.
MATCHUP:
Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers
Wells Fargo Center, 7:00 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
- Seth Jones is slowly working his way into the Norris Trophy conversation. After scoring the game-winning goal in three straight games, it's easy to see why. Jones has been the team's epitome of stability, and he'll be leaned on as the Blue Jackets play in what could be their biggest season to date.
- Can they keep this winning streak going? Going into the season, John Tortorella preached time and time again that 2017-18 wouldn't be the smooth-sailing ride of 2016-17. There would be no 16-game winning streak. But they're pulled off five in a row, and for the first time since October, really look like a team to be reckoned with. Is tonight's game the biggest game of the year, at least, to date? It's definitely in the conversation.
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Claude Giroux continues to build on his monster season. His 82 points tie him for fourth in the NHL in points, trailing only Nikita Kucherov, Evgeni Malkin, and Connor McDavid. Not bad company! The Blue Jackets will need to find a way to stymie Giroux, while also acknowledging that Jakub Voracek, with 75 points to his own right, is lighting it up while playing on a different line.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
FLYERS
35-24-11 (3rd in Metropolitan Division)
PP: 20.1% (18th) / PK: 74.7% (30th)
5v5 Corsi: 49.67% (17th)
BLUE JACKETS
37-28-5 (4th in Metropolitan Division)
PP: 15.3% (29th) / PK: 77.6% (24th)
5v5 Corsi: 51.63% (7th)
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