The Columbus Blue Jackets put on a show Tuesday night, edging out the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in a nail-biter that catapulted them into second place in the Metro division. With Mathieu Olivier, Zach Werenski, and Mason Marchment each finding the back of the net, and Jet Greaves stopping 24 of 26 shots, the Blue Jackets capitalized on a Pittsburgh Penguins loss to leapfrog them in the standings. Now sitting at 87 points, just one ahead of Pittsburgh, both teams have 11 games left to make their playoff push.
The game didn’t start off in Columbus’ favor. The Blue Jackets struggled in the first period, managing only three shots on goal.
Philadelphia's Sean Couturier took advantage, scoring the period’s lone goal. However, Greaves kept the damage minimal, making nine crucial saves to keep Columbus within striking distance.
Columbus came out swinging in the second period. Just 44 seconds in, Olivier netted his 15th goal of the season, leveling the score. Werenski, shaking off an 11-game goal drought, scored less than two minutes later, giving the Blue Jackets a lead they wouldn't surrender.
Marchment added to the tally early in the third period, extending the lead to 3-1. The Flyers made it interesting with a late goal during a 6-on-5 advantage, but Greaves held firm in the final moments, securing the victory for Columbus.
Under head coach Rick Bowness, who took over in January, the Blue Jackets have been a force, boasting a 19-3-4 record. This win ties Bowness with former coach Dean Evason’s record of 19 wins in 45 games.
1st Period Highlights:
- PHI Goal (17:07): The Flyers struck first when Rasmus Ristolainen’s shot rebounded off Greaves, allowing Luke Glendening to set up Couturier for the opening goal. Philadelphia led 1-0 after the first 20 minutes.
2nd Period Highlights:
- CBJ Goal (0:44): Columbus responded quickly in the second period. A slick passing play allowed Werenski to draw defenders before dishing to Olivier, who fired it past Vladar to tie the game.
- CBJ Goal (2:28): A team effort led to Werenski’s go-ahead goal. After a Flyers turnover, quick passes set Werenski up in the slot for a wrist shot that found the net, making it 2-1.
3rd Period Highlights:
- CBJ Goal (4:38): Marchenko’s hard work in the corner set up Marchment’s goal. Despite initial confusion, the officials confirmed the goal, extending Columbus’ lead to 3-1.
- PHI Goal (17:56): The Flyers clawed back with a goal from Drysdale, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Blue Jackets.
Stat Chat:
- Werenski’s performance marked his 25th multi-point game this season, tying Artemi Panarin’s franchise record for a single season. With 77 points, Werenski is closing in on Panarin’s record of 87 points set in 2018-19.
- Marchenko’s assist was his 100th career assist, adding to his milestone of 200 points in 281 NHL games.
- Columbus’ 19 shots on goal were their fewest this season, yet they managed to secure the win, showcasing their efficiency and resilience.
The Blue Jackets are on a roll, and with their eyes set on the playoffs, they’re proving to be a formidable force in the Metro division.