Flyers at Blue Jackets
The Philadelphia Flyers have been riding a roller coaster of late, and they appear to be on the downhill track again as they continue their four-game road trip Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Philadelphia followed a 10-game slide (0-5-5) with a six-game winning streak but has dropped two of its last three, including a 4-2 decision at Buffalo on Friday.
The setback, which saw all six goals scored in the third period - including four in the final 2:10 - kicked off the trek for the Flyers and ended their six-game point streak away from home (3-0-3). Columbus is coming off a 3-2 shootout loss at Pittsburgh on Thursday in which Artemi Panarin scored a power-play goal with 3:46 remaining in the third period to help earn the team a point. The Blue Jackets have won two straight at home and have dominated Philadelphia at Nationwide Arena, going 10-2-2 in their previous 14 meetings there. Columbus could be without Alexander Wennberg for this one as the center exited the loss to the Penguins in the third period with an undisclosed injury.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN Philadelphia, FSN Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE FLYERS (15-13-7): Jakub Voracek notched a pair of assists Friday to reclaim the league lead with 36 while captain Claude Giroux also recorded two assists, giving him 20 points (four goals) over his last 15 games. Voracek has collected a goal and six assists during his five-game point streak and Giroux has set up seven tallies during his four-game run, including five over his last two contests. Brian Elliott appeared in his 400th career game Friday as he made his 10th consecutive start and 19th in Philadelphia' last 20 contests.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (21-13-2): Columbus also could be missing Boone Jenner on Saturday as the center faces the possibility of being suspended after receiving a cross-checking major and game misconduct in the loss to Pittsburgh. The Blue Jackets are unsure about the status of rookie defenseman Zach Werenski, who is second on the team with 10 goals but has missed the last two contests with an undisclosed injury. To protect themselves against the possible losses up front, the Blue Jackets recalled forwards Jordan Schroeder and Tyler Motte from Cleveland of the American Hockey League.
OVERTIME
1. Blue Jackets rookie C Pierre-Luc Dubois has scored a goal in two straight games and three of his last five.
2. Philadelphia LW Michael Raffl has scored all six of his goals this season on the road.
3. Columbus assigned LW Sonny Milano, who has recorded five goals and five assists in 28 games this season, to Cleveland.