The Philadelphia Flyers (5-10-6) conclude their five-game road stand with a divisional matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7-10-0) Saturday night at Nationwide Arena. Both squads trail in the Eastern Conference and aim to find any sense of momentum to boost their current rankings. Opening puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm/ET.
The Orange and Black have the upper hand heading into the contest; I know, shocking. Philadelphia picked up points in three straight games and is coming off a strong showing against a Stanley Cup contender in the Edmonton Oilers despite losing 3-2. The Flyers overcame a 2-0 deficit, forced overtime, and outshot the Oilers 33-24. Tyson Foerster finally scored a Foerster-esque goal ripping one then Travis Sanheim crashed the net for the Flyers’ second bid of the night.
It was a promising performance until Christian Dvorak’s offensive zone turnover sprung Edmonton the other way up ice, resulting in an Evan Bouchard overtime game-winner, but overall, it was something promising to build upon.
“There’s really not much I can say other than the guys played a really good hockey game. We had some chances,” Rick Tocchet said. “I guess the only negative is our overtime, which is something we’ve got to figure out, but that’s the only negative. For me the whole game was positive.”
Shifting attention towards Columbus, the Blue Jackets are on a three-game losing skid and netted just five goals over their previous four appearances. Young talent Adam Fantilli is struggling and has been kept off the scoresheet in seven straight outings, while newcomer and top offseason acquisition Valeri Nichushkin has found the back of the net only twice this year. Despite their lack of offensive success and sitting last in the goals scored category—a familiar position for the Flyers—all it takes is one game for the Blue Jackets to erupt, causing their home cannon to fire on multiple occasions.
In terms of the special teams department, Philadelphia and Columbus stack up evenly; both powerplays are in the lower-threshold of the league and are separated by 0.02% from one another. The Flyers’ penalty kill is 12th (79.4%) while the Blue Jackets sit 24th (73.9%).
Tonight marks the second of four matchups between the Flyers and Blue Jackets this season. Columbus won the initial meeting 4-3 courtesy of Kent Johnson’s overtime winner to prevent Philadelphia from completing a 3-0 comeback. The Flyers themselves haven’t had much luck facing the Blue Jackets recently, having lost six straight.
Goaltending Battle: Joseph Woll vs. Jet Greaves
Woll is between the pipes and is riding high after recording the win in his previous start against the Canucks, his first victory secured since October 19. Woll turned aside 18 of 19 shots, keeping Vancouver from tying the game and eliminating yet another third period collapsed by the Flyers. The 28-year-old carries a 2-6-2 record, 2.91 GAA, and .902 SV% during his 2026-27 campaign. Sidenote, there have been two occurrences when a Flyers’ netminder played consecutive games this year.
A challenge awaits Philadelphia as Columbus turns to Jet Greaves to tend the crease. Greaves has had nothing but success when playing the Flyers, possessing a 4-0 record, 1.23 GAA, and .956 SV% including a 29-save shutout. His statistics this season counter what the data against the Flyers suggest. Greaves displays a 2-7-0 record with a 3.35 GAA and .881 SV%. Surprisingly, it’s been the 39-year-old and former Flyer Cam Talbot accumulating the wins for the Blue Jackets.
Philadelphia’s Player to Watch: Travis Konecny
It’s been six games since Konecny returned to the lineup following a lower-body injury. He has three points over that stretch and manufactured a season-high five shots in the Edmonton outing. Konecny pocketed 20 goals and 18 assists in 33 career showings when facing the Blue Jackets including a hat-trick last year.
Columbus’ Player to Watch: Zach Werenski
The reigning Norris Trophy winner is always somebody that must be watched carefully. Werenski’s two goals and 14 points give him a respectable 0.82 point per game pace on a team that is troublesome regarding offense. His 28:12 average TOI is second in the league behind Quinn Hughes. Similar to Greaves and Konecny, Werenski seems at his best whenever the two clubs battle. Werenski has 14 points in his nine prior performances against Philadelphia.
Philadelphia’s Injury Report:
– Nikita Grebenkin (back)
Columbus’ Injury Report:
– Sean Monahan (upper-body)
– Conor Garland (upper-body)
– Isac Lundeström (Achilles)
Philadelphia’s Projected Lines:
Tyson Foerster – Trevor Zegras – Travis Konecny
Michael Bunting – Christian Dvorak – Owen Tippett
Porter Martone – Noah Cates – Matvei Michkov
Denver Barkey – Sean Couturier – Noel Acciari
Travis Sanheim – Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler – Rasmus Ristolainen
Columbus’ Projected Lines:
Matthew Knies – Luca Del Bel Belluz – Kent Johnson
Dmitri Voronkov – Adam Fantilli – Valeri Nichushkin
Cole Sillinger – Charlie Coyle – Mathieu Olivier
Ryan Lomberg – Jack Williams – Steven Lorentz
Zach Werenski – Damon Severson
Ivan Provorov – Dante Fabbro
Jake Christiansen – Denton Mateychuk
FLYERS ALUMNI VEGAS AND IRELAND TRIP
Flyers Nation and TrueFan Travel have teamed up for two trips with the Flyers Alumni!
The Las Vegas package (March 10–14) includes tickets to Flyers–Golden Knights on March 11 at T-Mobile Arena, an all-inclusive tailgate, optional flights from Philadelphia, a 4-night downtown hotel stay, an alumni pep rally and Q&A, a Flyers vs. Utah watch party, and a meet and greet.
The Ireland Golf & Tour Experience (July 20–27) includes optional flights from Philadelphia, six nights at The Brehon Killarney and Portmarnock Resort, a welcome reception, a meet and greet and Q&A with Brad Marsh, Patrick Sharp, Joe Watson, Bill Clement, Mark Recchi, and John LeClair, a live Coatesy’s Corner, and optional golf at Old Head, Dooks, Portmarnock, and Druids Glen.
Whether you’re chasing a road game in Vegas or a week on the links in Ireland, these are two chances to travel with Flyers legends!
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