Flyers-Blue Jackets Preview: Atkinson Returns to Columbus

The Flyers delivered a solid showing at home on Tuesday night, with some new faces getting firsts in the NHL, but were not able to come out with the victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Flyers and Blue Jackets face one another for the final time this season on Thursday night with the home-and-home series shifting back to Columbus.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Columbus Blue Jackets	GP	G	A	P
Cam Atkinson	70	23	27	50	Patrick Laine	52	25	27	52
Travis Konecny	67	12	31	43	Jake Voracek	68	5	46	51
Joel Farabee	52	16	17	33	Oliver Bjorkstrand	69	24	26	50
James van Riemsdyk	70	18	13	31	Boone Jenner	59	23	21	44
Scott Laughton	55	11	17	28	Zach Werenski	62	11	33	44

Cam Atkinson makes his return to Columbus for the first time since the offseason trade. Atkinson has struggled to get on the board of late, but should be motivated for a homecoming on Thursday night.

Patrik Laine is always dangerous with the puck. While the goals have been hard to come by lately, he does have three assists in his last five games and should be a threat to tally on Thursday.

Martin Jones gets the start for the Flyers. Jones is back in net for the first time since Sunday, when he secured a shootout win against the Rangers, making 43 saves in the process.

Elvis Merzlikins gets another start against the Flyers on Thursday. Merzlikins was excellent in Tuesday's game, making 47 saves on 49 shots in the win.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Nick Seeler (injury), Zack MacEwen (injury), Kevin Connauton (healthy)

Blue Jackets Scratches: Alexandre Texier (injury), Boone Jenner (injury), Yegor Chinakhov (injury), Gabriel Carlsson (healthy), Dean Kukan (healthy), Gavin Bayreuther (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: No changes are expected to the Flyers lineup.
Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets are using the same lineup as Tuesday's game.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (32nd), Blue Jackets (25th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (23rd), Blue Jackets (19th)
Recent History vs. Blue Jackets
- April 5, 2022 - Blue Jackets 4, Flyers 2 (at PHI)
- Jan. 20, 2022 - Blue Jackets 2, Flyers 1 (at PHI)
Flyers Leaders vs. Blue Jackets
- Travis Konecny - 17 GP, 6 G, 12 A, 18 P
- Kevin Hayes - 23 GP, 8 G, 13 A, 21 P
- James van Riemsdyk - 25 GP, 11 G, 9 A, 20 P
- Martin Jones - 7 GP, 3-4-0, 3.40 GAA, .884 SV%

Where to Watch
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN and Flyers editor for SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.