x

Already member? Login first!

Comments / New

Some takeaways from Flyers 3-2 shootout loss to Columbus

The Flyers had two leads but ended up getting one point, losing to Columbus 3-2 in a shootout Tuesday night.

Dec 10, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Travis Konecny (11) wrists a shot on goal over the stick of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Philadelphia got three out of four points in a back-to-back but the Flyers were unable to get that fourth one, losing to the host Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 in a shootout.

The basics

First period: 3:44- Bobby Brink (Nick Seeler, Jamie Drysdale), 10:27- Zach Werenski (Unassisted)

Second period: No scoring

Third period: 8:14- Owen Tippett (Morgan Frost), 15:23- Zach Werenski (Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli)

Overtime: No scoring

Shootout: Kent Johnson – Goal, Travis Konecny – Save, Adam Fantilli – Save, Matvei Michkov – Save, Kirill Marchenko – Goal

SOG: 25 (PHI) – 28 (CBJ)

Some takeaways

Stopping the onslaught

The Flyers faced a Columbus team that has persevered throughout tragedy this season and found themselves in a glut of teams looking for two Wild Card spots. Winning four in a row, and scoring a boatload of goals often this year, the Blue Jackets needed to stay as much in their own zone as possible.

Philadelphia generally did a great job for the first half of the game in not giving Columbus a lot of grade A chances. When they did, Fedotov was able to make the save and often the rebound was cleaned up by his support. Fedotov was also able to slow things down from time to time, handling the puck and getting the puck to his blueliners quickly and effectively. The lone time things looked a bit crazy was when a bad outlet pass by Bobby Brink was intercepted, leading to Fedotov flopping around somewhat but getting the job done. Like Ersson, Fedotov saved one of his best for almost last as he stopped Adam Fantilli’s shot with a diving save seven minutes into the third.

Stop cross ice blueline passes

Philadelphia should’ve learned from Jamie Drysdale failed pass to Travis Konecny that those passes are highly dangerous. Somebody didn’t give the memo to Rasmus Ristolainen in the first. Ristolainen attempted almost the exact same pass to Noah Cates. The pass handcuffed Cates and Zach Werenski went the other way on a breakaway, beating Fedotov to tie things up at one. Clearly coach John Tortorella was not pleased by the decision.

Tortorella might have been pissed off but he wasn’t punitive towards Ristolainen as he took a regular shift the rest of the way. Later on Egor Zamula made possibly an even dumb play, coming out in front of Fedotov and gave it away. Sean Kuraly, who had a chance earlier, was unable to make the Flyers pay. He also saved a point with a stop on Damon Severson in the dying seconds.

Olivier again with heavy hit

After putting Emil Andrae through some pain earlier this year, Mathieu Olivier was at it again, punishing Sanheim with a heavy hit on the backboards that caused looked like it hurt Sanheim. Olivier and Sanheim battled in front of the net before Olivier was dumped by a hit from the side by Travis Konecny. Tortorella was left shaking his head at Konecny retaliating but the bench (and Sanheim) probably appreciated it. The Flyers killed it off and the temperature rose a bit afterwards as Sanheim remained in the game.

Tippett scores softie

Owen Tippett must have taken some pointers from Uvis Balinskis on the Flyers second goal of the night. That or Tarasov took pointers from Ersson in how to stop it. Almost an identical shot from inside the blueline eluded Tarasov to put the Flyers up by one.

Foerster foibles

The Flyers held on to the lead Monday night, but Tyson Foerster had an empty net goal spoiled by a good stick. He had a few chances against Columbus, none better than a two-on-one early in the third. Foerster sadly tried to roof it over Tarasov but the puck grazed the crossbar and went out of play. Maybe the hockey gods are setting the price for Cates’ fine play with a slump of sorts by Foerster.

No longer on the Brink

Brink ended up in the net Monday night against Florida on Cates’ second goal. He finally got the puck beyond that goal line early Tuesday evening on what looked like a nothing play. A great flip pass near the blueline by Drysdale into some open ice enabled Nick Seeler to take the pass and slide a nifty pass himself to Brink for the tap in over Columbus goalie Daniil Tarasov.

Tarasov, who had an .857 save percentage entering the game, was tested a few times, including on a similar looking play as the first goal. Sadly Sean Couturier couldn’t finish. Meanwhile Fedotov was fine to start the game which had a lot of flow and hardly any whistles. It looked like both teams had planes to catch as the tempo was high on skating and low on checks being finished.

York and Sanheim solid to start, then…

On the second of a back-to-back, and the second game on the road, it can be taxing for most athletes. Yet the pair of Cam York and Travis Sanheim were ready for bear in the opening period. York, who was celebrating his 200th game in the NHL, was strong on both sides of the puck while Sanheim also made some smart plays throughout the opening period. York was up 10-3 in terms of chances for while Sanheim, who had a few shots of his own, was up 9-3. Whenever your top pair are clicking above 75 per cent in chances for it’s a good sign.

The second period was not good at all, as York and Sanheim both dropped off cliffs concerning the same stat. York finished the second at 12-15, meaning he was 2-12 to the bad in chances for. Sanheim? Well he was 2-15 in the middle frame. Fortunately it was only insult as Sanheim avoided injury from Olivier’s hit.

If you enjoyed this article please consider supporting Broad Street Hockey by subscribing here, or purchasing our merch here.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out our podcast feed!


Looking for an easy way to support BSH? Use our Affiliate Link when shopping hockey merch!

Talking Points