Flyers vs. Blue Jackets Preview: Silence the Cannon

After winning three straight games and earning points in five straight games, the Flyers let points slip away in back-to-back games before closing a 3-in-4 with a regulation loss to Utah, certainly not the start to December they were looking for.

Their next chance to get back on track comes on Tuesday night, as the Flyers hit the road to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Owen Tippett looks to remain hot. He scored on Sunday for his fourth goals in the last four games, doubling his season total to eight. Tippett also has seven goals in the last 16 games after scoring just one in the first 12 games of the season.

Zach Werenski leads the way for Columbus with 28 points this season. While he has gone five games without a goal, he has four assists in that time. Werenski also has points in 10 of his last 12 games.

Sam Ersson gets the start for the Flyers. Ersson returned to action on Sunday, allowing four goals on 25 shots in the loss to Utah. It was Ersson’s first start since Nov. 11.

Elvis Merzlikins gets the start for the Blue Jackets. Merzlikins was excellent in his last start against Winnipeg on Sunday, making 24 saves on 25 shots in the win. That win snapped a two-game losing streak for Merzlikins, who had won six of his previous seven starts before that.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Nick Deslauriers (injury), Erik Johnson (healthy), Egor Zamula (healthy), Ivan Fedotov (healthy)

Blue Jackets Scratches: Yegor Chinakhov (injury), Jack Johnson (healthy), Mikael Pyyhtia (healthy)

Lineup Notes

• Flyers: No changes to the Flyers lineup from Sunday’s game.
• Blue Jackets: Cole Sillinger is expected to play after leaving Columbus’ last game in the third period.

Game Notes

• Power Play: Flyers (16.9% – 28th), Blue Jackets (17.4% – 25th)
• Penalty Kill: Flyers (80.5% – 11th), Blue Jackets (71.6% – 30th)
• Recent History vs. Blue Jackets
  • April 6, 2024 – Blue Jackets 6, Flyers 2 (at CBJ)
  • Jan. 4, 2024 – Blue Jackets 3, Flyers 2 (F/SO) (at PHI)
  • Nov. 19, 2023 – Flyers 5, Blue Jackets 2 (at PHI)
  • Oct. 12, 2023 – Flyers 4, Blue Jackets 2 (at CBJ)
• Team Leaders vs. Blue Jackets
  • Travis Konecny – 26 GP, 15 G, 15 A, 30 P
  • Joel Farabee – 15 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 P
  • Noah Cates – 9 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 P
  • Sam Ersson – 3 GP, 1-1-1, 3.25 GAA, .880 SV%
• Milestone Watch
  • Scott Laughton needs two goals to reach 100 for his career.
  • Sean Couturier needs three goals to reach 200 for his career.

Where to Watch

• TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network