Flyers vs. Blue Jackets Preview: Resilience and Accountability

After a successful 2-0-1 road trip seemed to restore good vibes, the Philadelphia Flyers delivered arguably their worst performance of the season on Monday. That's saying a lot for a team that has now lost eight of the last 10 games.

The Flyers go right back on the road for two critical tests. It starts on Wednesday night as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have won five of six games since making a coaching change.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m.

Trevor Zegras has cooled off lately with just two goals and five points in the last 10 games. Zegras has been a leader for the Flyers all season, and will need to turn things around to help the Flyers maintain and improve their position in the standings.

Mason Marchment has been on a hot streak since being acquired by Columbus. The forward is coming off a four-point game with a hat trick against Tampa Bay on Saturday. He has scored eight of his 12 goals this season in nine games with the Blue Jackets.

Dan Vladar gets the start for the Flyers. Vladar returns after missing the last six games due to injury. He allowed two goals on six shots against Buffalo on Jan. 14 before leaving after the first period. Vladar allowed four goals on 25 shots in a loss to Tampa Bay in his last full game on Jan. 12.

Elvis Merzlikins gets the start for Columbus. Merzlikins was pulled after allowing two goals on seven shots in the first period against Ottawa on Jan. 20, taking the loss. In 18 starts, Merzlikins has allowed two goals or fewer only twice this season.

Projected Lineups

Lineup Notes

• Flyers: Noah Juulsen returns to the lineup for Emil Andrae. No other changes are expected.
• Blue Jackets: No changes are expected to the Columbus lineup

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Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.