Philly Leader

The Philadelphia Flyers, under the leadership of John Tortorella, are set to face off against Dean Evason's Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio. The game will take place at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcasted on NBCSP+ with radio coverage on 93.3 WMMR and an online simulcast on Flyers Radio 24/7.

The Flyers aim for their third consecutive victory following a decisive 6-0 win over Anaheim and a comeback 4-3 triumph against Florida. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have been successful in their last four games, boasting a record of 7-2-1 over their past ten matches.

This matchup marks the third of four meetings this season between these teams, with the Flyers having won both previous encounters. Despite the Flyers' earlier successes, Columbus has shown strong performance post-holiday break with a .750 points percentage.

Several key aspects are expected to influence Tuesday's game:

1. The "next 22" games for the Flyers are crucial as they strive to improve their standing in the wildcard race. Currently trailing Columbus by three points and facing a disadvantage in regulation wins, this match could significantly impact standings.

2. The offensive line featuring Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, and Morgan Frost remains promising for the Flyers if kept intact by Coach Tortorella.

3. Ivan Fedotov is likely to start as goaltender for the Flyers due to back-to-back games, marking an important opportunity for him amidst ongoing competition within the team's goaltending ranks.

4. The Flyers' power play has recently been effective, scoring multiple goals in consecutive games—a feat not achieved since early 2019—highlighting an area of potential advantage against Columbus's penalty kill ranked low in league standings.

5. Managing energy levels throughout all three periods is essential given the team's demanding schedule of six games within ten nights.

Overall, while mid-January games may not typically be labeled as must-win scenarios, this particular contest holds significant implications for both teams' playoff aspirations.