Flyers Postgame Report: Konecny, Flyers Handle Blue Jackets

The Flyers three-game losing streak featured two games where they were unable to lock down a lead in the third period. This time, they had plenty of cushion to take care of business.

Two goals in the first got the Flyers off to a good start, then two more in the second by Travis Konecny were enough offense in a 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.

The Flyers came out with a strong start and turned it into the first goal of the game at 4:37. Noah Cates was able to bat home a rebound after Tyson Foerster got the puck toward the net to make it 1-0 with his second goal of the season.

At 10:56, the Flyers added to the lead. Off a rush, Jamie Drysdale dropped the puck to Owen Tippett, who ripped a shot from distance past Elvis Merzlikins for his ninth goal of the season and fifth in the last five games.

Through 20 minutes, the Flyers had a 2-0 lead and a 7-4 lead in shots.

The Flyers added to the lead at 6:11 of the second on a power play. Konecny took a cross-ice pass from Matvei Michkov at the top of the zone and fired it home for his 14th goal of the season to make it 3-0.

The 3-0 lead held up for most of the period, until a late Columbus power play. Zach Werenski scored at 16:56 to get the Blue Jackets on the board with his ninth goal of the season to make it a 3-1 game.

The Flyers had an answer with exactly one minute remaining in the period. Joel Farabee connected with Konecny on a long pass. Konecny went in on a partial breakaway and scored through the five-hole of Merzlikins, his second of the game and 15th of the season, to make it 4-1.

Through two periods, shots were 17-11 Flyers.

Just 1:54 into the third, the Flyers added to the lead again. Michkov set up Morgan Frost for a tip chance, then Frost was able to corral the rebound and score for his fourth of the season to make it 5-1.

The Blue Jackets got one goal back at 11:42 of the third, as Sean Monahan tipped a shot by Dante Fabbro to make it 5-2 with his ninth of the season. Kent Johnson tipped in a Damon Severson shot in the final minute to cap the scoring.

Sam Ersson made 15 saves on 18 shots in the win. Merzlikins made 19 saves on 24 shots in the loss.

In addition to Konecny’s two goals, Frost had a goal and an assist, and Michkov had two assists. Johnson had a goal and an assist for Columbus.

The Flyers are back on home ice on Thursday night to take on the Detroit Red Wings at 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• PHI Noah Cates (2) (Tyson Foerster, Cam York) 4:37
• PHI Owen Tippett (9) (Jamie Drysdale, Morgan Frost) 10:56

2nd Period

• PHI Travis Konecny (14) PP (Bobby Brink, Matvei Michkov) 6:11
• CBJ Zach Werenski (9) PP (Kirill Marchenko, Sean Monahan) 16:56
• PHI Konecny (15) (Joel Farabee, Nick Seeler) 19:00

3rd Period

• PHI Frost (4) (Michkov) 1:54
• CBJ Monahan (9) (Dante Fabbro, Kent Johnson) 11:42
• CBJ Kent Johnson (9) (Damon Severson, James van Riemsdyk) 19:23

Game Statistics