Flyers face reinforced Blue Jackets' lineup

The Flyers will face a Columbus team Saturday night that figures to have two key players returning to the lineup.

The Blue Jackets have activated forward Marian Gaborik and defenseman James Wisniewski, and both are expected to play Saturday at Nationwide Arena.

Gaborik has missed 17 games with a knee injury; he has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 17 games.

Wisniewski has missed the last six games with an undisclosed upper-body injury, and he has 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) and is a key member of the Jackets' power play.

Two Flyers — goalie Steve Mason and right winger Jake Voracek — will be returning to Columbus for the first time since they were traded to Philadelphia. Mason, however, is expected to serve as Ray Emery's backup.

Voracek has 10 points, including six goals, in his last six games. He said returning to Columbus would be emotional for him, but that his focus will be on trying to help the Flyers sweep the home-and-home series.

"It's a big game for us," he said.

The Flyers are coming off a comeback for the ages. They faced a 3-0 deficit before scoring five third-period goals Thursday and jolting the visiting Blue Jackets, 5-4.

The late-game collapse "is going to stick with me for a while," Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards told the Columbus Dispatch. "Just really disappointed. Disgusted. Embarrassed. Those were the words I used when I went back to watch the game."

Columbus is 8-8-2 at home, while the Flyers are 6-8-4 on the road.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.