Kent Johnson had the last word in Philadelphia, and he made sure it counted.
Johnson scored 2:22 into overtime for his second goal of the night, sending the Columbus Blue Jackets past the Flyers 4-3 on Tuesday. The winner came after Adam Fantilli found Johnson on Columbus’ second 2-on-0 breakaway of the extra frame. Dan Vladar denied the first rush, which featured Cole Sillinger and Zach Werenski, but he had no answer for the quick passing between Johnson and Fantilli before Johnson finished it off.
Columbus built a 3-0 cushion and still had to survive a furious comeback to leave with two points. Fantilli and Denton Mateychuk also scored for the Blue Jackets, while Cam Talbot turned aside 28 shots.
The Flyers nearly stole it at the end. Jamie Drysdale tied the game with 11 seconds remaining in regulation, capping a late push that erased Columbus’ lead. Noah Cates and Trevor Zegras had accounted for Philadelphia’s first two goals.
The Blue Jackets opened fast, striking three times in under three minutes during the first period. Fantilli started the barrage with his fourth goal of the season, finishing a 2-on-2 rush when Johnson set him up and his shot slipped through Vladar for a 1-0 edge.
Just under two minutes later, Johnson struck again. Philadelphia rookie Oliver Bonk turned it over behind the net, Zach Werenski stepped into a one-timer from the point, and Johnson got a touch on it to redirect the puck in for his fifth goal of the season.
Columbus kept rolling, and Mateychuk added the third goal 50 seconds later. He found room in the high slot and sent a shot through traffic that got past Vladar.
Philadelphia finally answered midway through the second period. Porter Martone’s shot leaked through Talbot, and Cates was there to poke in his first goal of the year.
Zegras then dragged the Flyers closer late in the third. He scored off a rebound with 4:56 left to cut the deficit to 3-2, then helped create the tying goal in the closing seconds. Zegras slipped a pass to Tyson Foerster, whose centering feed bounced off Drysdale’s skate and into the net.
Zegras finished with a goal and an assist, giving him three goals and six assists during a five-game points streak.
In Other News...
Blue Jackets Blue Line Just Got A Needed Twist
The Blue Jackets finally have another option for their blue line after activating Dante Fabbro from injured reserve, a move that comes after he spent the first four weeks of the regular season sidelined by a broken hand suffered in preseason. His return gives Columbus a little more structure on the back end at a time when the club has had to manage its defense with limited pieces.
Fabbro is expected to slide onto the bottom pairing with Erik Gudbranson, adding a familiar-looking combination to the mix. Ivan Provorov remains on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, so even with Fabbro back, Columbus is still waiting for its defense corps to get back to full strength. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jackets Get An Early Road Test That Could Say A Lot
The Blue Jackets are stepping into their first real road trip of the season with a stop in Philadelphia, and it comes at a useful time for a club trying to build something off a recent overtime win. The Flyers have been slow out of the gate but have shown more life lately, which makes this an early measuring-stick game for Columbus as it tries to settle in away from home and keep carrying over the energy from its last result.
Columbus also should get a boost on the blue line, with one defenseman expected back from injured reserve for the matchup. Even with the Flyers still searching for consistency, this is the kind of game that can quietly reveal a lot about where a young Blue Jackets team stands after a bumpy start, especially with both clubs bunched closely together in the standings despite Philadelphia having played more games. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jackets Need More From Their Offense As Road Trip Starts
The Blue Jackets are barely into the season, but the scoring issues are already hard to ignore as they head out on their first meaningful road trip. Through nine games, Columbus has had trouble getting enough from the top of the lineup, and the early concern centers on players the club expected to drive more offense. Rick Bowness has acknowledged the challenge, and the team is still confident the goals will come as the group settles in.
Conor Garland and Sean Monahan are among the names at the center of that conversation, especially with Columbus looking for a steadier attack away from home. The Blue Jackets know they cannot lean on hope for long, and the next stretch away from home offers a chance to reset the mix and see whether the current lines can produce more consistently before the pressure on the offense grows any heavier. [Read more 🡒]