The blue jackets vs flyers meeting brings projected lineups, injury updates and momentum notes as Philadelphia returns home after a shootout win and Columbus sends a full compliment of scoring threats.
Blue Jackets Vs Flyers Projected Lineups
Projected forward groups listed for both teams show expected combinations and scratches heading into the matchup.
Columbus forward lines: Cole Sillinger — Adam Fantilli — Kirill Marchenko; Kent Johnson — Sean Monahan — Conor Garland; Mason Marchment — Charlie Coyle — Mathieu Olivier; Isac Lundestrom — Boone Jenner — Danton Heinen. Scratched: Miles Wood, Dimitri Voronkov, Egor Zamula.
Philadelphia forward lines: Alex Bump — Sean Couturier — Travis Konecny; Denver Barkey — Noah Cates — Matvei Michkov; Nikita Grebenkin — Trevor Zegras — Owen Tippett; Carl Grundstrom — Luke Glendening — Garnet Hathaway.
Injuries and lineup decisions noted: Tyson Foerster (arm), Rodrigo Abols (lower body) and Christian Dvorak (undisclosed) are listed as injured. Danton Heinen will play after being scratched for a 2-1 overtime loss at the Florida Panthers on Thursday, replacing Dimitri Voronkov. A defenseman who missed the past two games, Gudbranson, will be a game-time decision, coach Rick Bowness said. Dvorak will be a game-time decision after being hit by a puck during the second period of a 3-2 shootout win against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, coach Rick Tocchet said. Garrett Wilson was recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League but it is not clear whether the forward will play; Tocchet noted a couple of players are banged up.
Gameday No. 66 Preview: Flyers vs. Blue Jackets
Philadelphia returns home with momentum after collecting all four points in a midweek back-to-back against Washington and Minnesota, keeping the club within reach of the playoff picture. The team is treating each remaining game with urgency, emphasizing sustained execution over short stretches of success.
Dan Vladar is set to start in goal for Philadelphia, and the club has added AHL veteran Garrett Wilson to the roster after signing him to a two-way NHL contract and calling him up. Wilson’s role is expected to emphasize responsible shifts, physical engagement along the boards and depth minutes rather than highlight scoring, reflecting the team’s need for dependable, playoff-style contributions from veteran depth players.
Goaltending consistency remains a priority; Vladar’s steady presence in tight games, overtime and shootout situations has been highlighted as a stabilizing factor for the Flyers during the push.
Matchup Context, Records And Recent Form
The blue jackets vs flyers matchup is the second meeting of the season; Columbus won the previous meeting 5-3. Season records listed for the clubs show Columbus at 33-21-11 overall with a 7-7-4 mark in the Metropolitan Division, and Philadelphia at 31-23-11 overall with a 9-7-4 divisional record. The Flyers are 4-4-8 in one-goal games this season, while the Blue Jackets are 10-7-10 in one-goal contests.
Top performers noted in the matchup preview include Trevor Zegras with 22 goals and 32 assists for Philadelphia and Zachary Werenski with 20 goals and 48 assists for Columbus. Owen Tippett has three goals and two assists over his last 10 games; Adam Fantilli has six goals and five assists over the past 10 games.
Recent form over the last 10 games shows the Flyers at 6-3-1, averaging 2. 1 goals and giving up 2. 3 goals per game, while the Blue Jackets are 5-1-4, averaging 3. 5 goals and allowing 2. 9 goals per game. This contrast in scoring and defensive numbers frames the tactical challenge both teams face entering the matchup.
What remains uncertain are final game-time decisions on several players listed as injured or questionable and whether the recalled forward will be in the lineup. Coaches have flagged multiple players with bumps and bruises, and final rosters will be confirmed closer to puck drop.
