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Rick Tocchet’s Philadelphia Flyers (34-24-12) suffered a crucial 3-2 regulation setback to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Tuesday evening. Coming off a three-game California sweep, the Flyers entered this game with high hopes of narrowing the gap in the Metropolitan Divison and Eastern Division wildcard playoff races.
Things got off to good start. The Flyers dominated the first period and took a 1-0 lead to intermission. Philly didn’t answer the bell to start the second period, and paid dearly for it. A bad change, a short-side goal and a coverage miscue early in the second period turned the one goal lead into a deficit. The Flyers never led again.
The rest of the game was pretty evenly played. Philly was largely kept to the perimeter but also didn’t give much either. A screened shot and good execution produced a third Columbus goal in the third period. With goaltender Dan Vladar pulled for a 6-on-5 attack, Philadelphia drew back within a goal. Unfortunately, a last-gasp push fell just short before the final buzzer.
Sean Couturier (7th goal of the season) and Jamie Drysdale (8th) scored in a losing cause for Philadelphia. Mathieu Olivier (15th), Zack Werenski (21st goal, 56th assist to set up the Olivier tally) keyed the second period turnaround. Mason Marchment (17th) provided needed insurance in the final frame.
The Good
- Philly could hardly have asked for a better first period. Unfortunately, they only took a 1-0 lead to intermission rather than a multi-goal lead. Sure enough, the strong start proved unsustainable.
- Couturier returned from injury to win a board battle and get to the net for the opening goal.
- Drysdale continued his run of clutch offensive plays since the Olympic break.
The Bad
- As the game moved on, the Flyers had trouble winning key 50-50 battles or getting to the inside.
- Too many “everything buts” in this game. The Flyers did everything but score on their lone power play. Ivan Provorov knocked down Noah Cates with a Matvei Michkov rebound sitting into crease. Noah Cates earned a penalty shot but he was stoned by Jet Greaves. Owen Tippett had a breakaway and did “everything but” score. The late third period push produced Drysdale’s goal but Philly narrowly ran out of time looking for the tying goal. Close wasn’t good enough in this virtual must-win game.
- Vladar would have liked Olivier short-side goal back in the opening minute of the second period. It was a nice shot from the right dot but a save was needed.
The Ugly
- In addition to losing the four-point swing game against Columbus, the Flyers wasted a golden opportunity with other rivals. The Penguins, Bruins, Islanders, Red Wings and Capitals all lost in regulation. It adds up to a giant missed opportunity at a vital time.
- Rough game for the likes of Trevor Zegras, Denver Barkey, Rasmus Ristolainen and Carl Grundstrom. Nikita Grebenkin was a healthy scratch on this night.
- The Flyers missed the net on 18 shots attempts and only sporadically got the puck to high-danger areas after the first period.
Postgame Press Conference
