Broad Street Buzz
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Philadelphia Flyers can’t contain Blue Jackets top-line in 4-3 loss

By Benjamin Gabrych

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 22: Assistant Coach Kris Knoblauch and Head Coach of the Philadelphia Flyers Scott Gordon look on during the first period of their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 22, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 22: Assistant Coach Kris Knoblauch and Head Coach of the Philadelphia Flyers Scott Gordon look on during the first period of their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 22, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first half of a back-to-back looking for their 15th win on the season.

Defeating the Nashville Predators 3-2 in their last contest, the Philadelphia Flyers were hoping to extend their winning streak to three games against a division rival in the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Carter Hart made his third straight start for the Flyers and opposed Sergei Bobrovsky in-net. Bobrovsky entered the matchup with a 14-10-1 record, a 2.78 Goals-Against Average, and a .908 save percentage.

Both teams were very even in play throughout the first, with each disrupting any sort of offensive pressure that was gained. Radko Gudas dropped the gloves with Brandon Dubinsky, and this seemed to energize the Flyers a bit as they started to create more dangerous of chances. They weren’t able to capitalize on them, allowing Columbus to take a 1-0 lead thanks to a Zach Werenski goal. Philadelphia responded with their first power-play tally in 16 opportunities on a shot from Sean Couturier to tie the game at one heading into the second.

The Flyers were lucky to have scored on this opportunity, as they couldn’t get anything going until the final seconds. I’m sure they’ll take what they can get, too, especially considering the unit ranked dead last in power-play percentage coming in.

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Columbus and Philadelphia continued to trade chances in the second, until Phil Varone scored his first goal with the Flyers off the rebound to give the team a 2-1 lead. Varone’s looked solid in his fourth line role and it was good to finally see him get on the scoresheet this season. Cam Atkinson scored on a rebound attempt of his own not long after, re-tying the game at two a piece.

Atkinson scored his second of the night on a tic-tac-toe play and Artemi Panarin scored right off the face-off for the Blue Jackets later on, giving Columbus a 4-2 lead heading into the final frame. The Flyers had issues with turnovers in their own zone yet again and it was the main reason they were down with 20 minutes to go.

Philadelphia had their chances to cut into the deficit, including two power-play opportunities, but couldn’t take advantage of any of them through most of the period. James van Riemsdyk gave the team some hope late, netting his fifth of the year to make it 4-3, but the Blue Jackets eventually won the matchup.

The team struggled to contain Columbus’ top-line consisting of Atkinson, Panarin, and Pierre-Luc Dubois, who combined for eight points in this game. Bobrovsky was also terrific against his former squad, making plenty of key saves that kept the Flyers at an arms reach.

Next. Sanheim finally receiving ice-time he deserves.. dark

The Flyers are now 14-16-4 on the season. Next game is Sunday in the second half of a back-to-back against another division rival in the New York Rangers.

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