Flyers back in action, welcome back Scott Hartnell

Philadelphia sports fans rarely need much of a reason to boo the opposition. But with one-time fan favorite Scott Hartnell set to make his return as a Blue Jacket at the Wells Fargo Center Friday night, it should be interesting to see the fans reaction.

“I’m a pretty emotional person I think,” Hartnell said. to a group of Flyers writers on a call earlier this week. “Just to be in that arena and not going to the home dressing room and seeing the trainers and coaches and everyone that I love, it’s for sure going to be tough.”

Hartnell was a big part of the Flyers’ recent success, posting over 20 goals five times in seven seasons. Now in Columbus, his Blue Jackets are 0-8-1 in their last nine and going through some hard times.

The visit to Philadelphia is one Hartnell has been excited about, a nice change from the injury woes he and his teammates have had to deal with.

“Obviously, I had this game circled on my calendar for awhile,” Hartnell, who was sent to Columbus in an offseason trade for R.J. Umberger, said. “[I’ll] get it over with and enjoy it.”

The puck drops at 7 p.m., and a win would make the Flyers 4-0 for the homestand. After the game, Philly heads on a mini-road trip to Montreal and New York.