Jackets Fall To Flyers In Uninspired Effort

Columbus Blue Jackets
Sam Fahmi
April 7, 2022
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What happens when you break a seven game losing streak, and you play that same team again two days later? Sometimes you get a let down, but other times you get to add to momentum. Tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets… had a let down.

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FIRST PERIOD

Columbus came out looking to build on the adrenaline from finally breaking that losing streak by beating the Flyers in Philadelphia a mere two days ago.

Elvis Merzlikins continued his strong form and let his goalie pads do all the talking on the few challenges by the visitors, but the Jackets could not capitalize on their early power play chance. Oddly enough, the Flyers were on their second power play of the period when Columbus scored its one and only goal on the evening on a breakaway by Eric Robinson at the 15:06 mark for the 1-0 lead.


SECOND PERIOD

The Jackets came out with the same intensity and pressure as they did to start the game, but it was the Flyers who dominated the Ice. Patrik Laine rifled a shot that hit the crossbar but bounced under Flyers goaltender Martin Jones. The dominance didn’t last for long as Philadelphia tied things up on an unassisted goal from Kevin Connauton, and took the lead on a score by Owen Tippett.


The Flyers added to their lead as Noah Cates followed up on a Merzlikins save and lifted the puck over the outstretched body of the goaltender for the 3-1 lead.


What really gave Philadelphia the advantage in this period was the number of turnovers that led to goals or dangerous chances. Jackets defender lost focus, and the puck, in their own zone on the last two goals.


THIRD PERIOD

Things didn’t really get much better for the home team. The Jackets started the period on the penalty kill. And while they were able to limit the Flyers from scoring, at least until the 16:55 mark, Columbus seemed completely lost. All the momentum they had in the first and part of the second period had completely evaporated.  Lack of sharpness couples with loss of focus and Philadelphia finding a rhythm led to the home team’s inability to mount any form of comeback.


FINAL THOUGHTS

  • With 10 games left in the 21-22 season, the Jackets appear to have hit another wall. While they didn’t play great in Philadelphia a couple of days ago, they were still able to pull out a victory. Whatever they did in that game was not replicated tonight.
  • Winning a game is much harder when your best players are not at their best. Outside of his shot off the post in the second period, Laine was no threat to the Flyers, and they made sure he stayed that way.
  • Is this team where you thought they would be at this point of the season? Better? Worse? Oddly enough, I thought they would be in a much worse position. I would consider this season a modest success if they can finish at .500.
  • The Jackets now head to Detroit for a game with the Red Wings on Saturday at 7pm

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