Flyers at Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets haven't been shy about testing opposing goaltenders, as they became the first team since the NHL's expansion era began in 1967-68 to string together three straight games with at least 50 shots on goal. The Blue Jackets aim to continue their target practice on Friday as they bid for their 12th consecutive home victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
"I hope that doesn't stop," captain Nick Foligno said of his team's deluge of shots after it recorded a franchise second-best 57 on goal in the Blue Jackets' 6-3 setback to Toronto on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Foligno scored two goals and set up another versus the Maple Leafs to increase his point total to 10 (four goals, six assists) in his past 12 games, but Columbus has dropped six of its last eight (2-5-1) overall. The Blue Jackets reside on the outside looking in at the postseason picture as they begin a four-game stretch against Metropolitan Division foes, including two encounters in the next seven days versus Philadelphia. Captain Claude Giroux, who had an assist in the Flyers' 2-1 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets on Dec. 23, raised his point total to 32 (six goals, 26 assists) in his last 32 games after collecting a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 5-4 shootout loss to New Jersey.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, TVAS, FS Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE FLYERS (28-19-10): Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has been heating up on the ice with 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in his past seven games, but hockey might not be foremost on his mind at the moment. The 24-year-old attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., the site of a tragic shooting that left 17 dead and others injured on Wednesday. "They always say it's close to home, but when it is actually home, it is pretty tough to see," Gostisbehere said. "I haven't really processed it yet. I still can't believe it. I was only there for two years and I felt safe in that school every day I was there. To see something like that happens, those kids and teachers, it (stinks)."
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (29-24-4): Sergei Bobrovsky has reversed course from a sluggish start to February by turning aside 63 of 65 shots to record back-to-back victories. The two-time Vezina Trophy recipient has tormented the Flyers since being traded from the club in June 2012, posting a 9-2-0 mark with two shutouts and a 1.79 goals-against average in 11 career encounters. Bobrovsky made 30 saves in the teams' meeting in December before stopping Sean Couturier, Giroux and Jakub Voracek in the shootout to preserve the victory.
OVERTIME
1. Philadelphia G Michal Neuvirth owns a 2-1-0 mark with a 1.99 goals-against average and .934 save percentage against Columbus.
2. Blue Jackets RW Oliver Bjorkstrand, who had an assist in the first encounter with the Flyers, has scored two goals and set up three others during his three-game point streak.
3. Philadelphia C Travis Konecny has recorded 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in his last 21 games.