CBJ PHI 12.22 preview

BLUE JACKETS (19-12-3) at FLYERS (14-15-4)
1 p.m. ET; ESPN+, NBCSP, FS-O, NHL.TV

Hart was recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on Monday. A few hours later, Gordon, who had been coaching Lehigh Valley, was named as the replacement for Dave Hakstol, who was fired.
Hart will try to become the fourth Philadelphia goalie to win his first three NHL starts, joining Bob Froese (8-0-0 in 1982-83), Antero Niittymaki (5-0-0 in 2003-04 and 2005-06) and Ron Hextall (4-0-0 in 1986-87).
The Blue Jackets also are trying for their third straight victory, and fourth win in past five (3-0-1).

Players to watch

Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in his past 11 games.
Flyers forward Claude Giroux has 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in his past 14 games.

They said it

"Don't get bored because they're 2-1 games, 3-2, 1-0. Don't get bored that you think we're a defensive team. We've brought our concentration level to away from the puck, but we've got 20-plus scoring chances each game the last five, just have been a little snakebitten around the net. ... Have to stay with it. I think it'll come if we keep generating 20-plus a game, we'll score some goals." -- Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella
"There's a lot of benefits to it, and that's what I told [Nolan Patrick]. 'Don't worry about the title of first, second, or third line. You're going to get your ice time and the best part here is that the pressure isn't on you to be one of the top six.'"-- Flyers coach Scott Gordon, on leaving Claude Giroux at center and how that affects forward Nolan Patrick

Blue Jackets projected lineup
Flyers projected lineup
Status report

Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said he wasn't happy with how his defense pairings played in a 2-1 win against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday and could change them Saturday. ... Giroux and Couturier each had a maintenance day and did not practice Friday but are expected to play Saturday.

Stat pack

Bobrovsky is 3-0-1 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .964 save percentage in his past four games. ... Hart has a 1.50 goals-against average and .944 save percentage in his three games.