Preview: Flyers look for revenge in Columbus to end three-game skid

The Philadelphia Flyers get another chance to pick up two points in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.

Last Thursday they fell 5-2 in a failed comeback effort and allowed Gaudreau to feast on some costly turnovers. Tonight Carter Hart goes again, and Max Willman also looks to make his season debut. This game is only broadcasted on ESPN+ and Hulu.

Looking For Revenge

Let’s talk about the last time out in Columbus. The Flyers’ went down 3-0 on costly turnovers while outplaying the Blue Jackets and began to storm back before falling just short. During the game Columbus watched what was basically their entire defense core get wilted down by injuries. Top defenseman Zach Werenski is out long-term with a torn labrum among others, and forwards Jakub Voracek and Patrik Laine are injured as well leaving the Blue Jackets lineup quite thin.

The Flyers are in the middle of a three game losing streak and John Tortorella stormed out of this building just 5 days ago. The sad part is that the performances as a whole have been better, they just have lacked the extreme puck luck and vezina goaltending that carried them early on. The lineup is so under-skilled that it’s bound to be overwhelmed at times but at least the heart is there unlike previous groups.

We asked why Tortorella is not speaking.
Brad Shaw: “I’m not sure. He’s not speaking. I’m not sure.”
— Giana Han (@giana_jade) November 11, 2022

Tippett-Hayes-Konecny has been enjoyable to watch especially as the confidence continues to grow. Morgan Frost is going to center Max Willman as he makes his season debut, and Kieffer Bellows will slot in alongside Sedlak and Deslauriers.

I’m expecting an active Philadelphia team out of the gate, the motivation is all there. You outplayed this team and lost badly, you’re on a three game skid, and it’s a worse lineup than you saw 5 days ago. There’s no excuse to be lifeless in this game tonight.

Carter Hart always gives them a chance and I expect the same in this one. Tortorella has said over the last three he feels like the team is beating themselves more than anything and there’s truth to that. The play has improved while the costly mistakes have increased. Let’s put together a solid 60 minutes and get this thing back on the rails.

Prediction: 5-2 Flyers