Blue Jackets Face Key Division Matchup Against Flyers

Columbus looks to bounce back from 1-0 loss to Islanders as playoff race tightens in the Metro

Mar. 24, 2026 at 11:32am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Columbus Blue Jackets will take on the Philadelphia Flyers in a crucial Metropolitan Division matchup, just 10 days after the teams' previous meeting that ended in a 2-1 shootout win for the Blue Jackets. Coming off a tough 1-0 loss to the Islanders that snapped their 12-game point streak, the Blue Jackets will look to rebound against a Flyers team also fighting for playoff positioning in the tight Eastern Conference race.

Why it matters

With the playoff race in the Metropolitan Division heating up, this game represents an important opportunity for the Blue Jackets to maintain their position in the standings. A win could help them create some separation from the teams chasing them, while a loss could allow others to gain ground. The defensive battle that unfolded in the teams' previous matchup suggests this could be another tight, low-scoring affair with major implications.

The details

In the Blue Jackets' last game, they were shut out 1-0 by the Islanders despite outshooting the home team and generating several quality scoring chances. Head coach Rick Bowness was pleased with his team's effort, saying they "did enough good things to win the game." The Blue Jackets will look to apply the lessons from that tight-checking affair as they take on a Flyers team that has also been involved in several close, defensive-minded games lately.

  • The Blue Jackets and Flyers last met 10 days ago, with Columbus winning 2-1 in a shootout.
  • The Blue Jackets are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division, holding a game in hand on the Islanders who also have 85 points.

The players

Rick Bowness

Head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Damon Severson

Defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Bo Horvat

Forward for the New York Islanders who scored the game's only goal against the Blue Jackets.

Ilya Sorokin

Goaltender for the New York Islanders who made several key saves to preserve the 1-0 win over the Blue Jackets.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We did enough good things to win the game. At the end of the game, you lose 1-0, you say, 'Did we do enough good things to give ourselves a chance to win the game?' And we did, so you just live with that. One of those nights the puck didn't go in.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach

“Just a playoff atmosphere for sure. Little things. Every detail matters in the game – pucks getting chipped in, pucks getting chipped out, no turnovers, crashing the net, ugly goals. You have to capitalize on your chances for sure when you get them.”

— Damon Severson, Defenseman

What’s next

The Blue Jackets will look to bounce back from the 1-0 loss to the Islanders when they take on the Flyers in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

The takeaway

With the playoff race in the Metropolitan Division tightening, the Blue Jackets' matchup against the Flyers represents a crucial opportunity to maintain their position in the standings. After a hard-fought defensive battle in their previous meeting, both teams will look to capitalize on their limited scoring chances in what is expected to be another closely contested affair.