Konecny’s Hat Trick Not Enough as Flyers Fall to Blue Jackets in Columbus
Travis Konecny gave the Flyers everything he had-and then some-but even a hat trick from the red-hot winger couldn’t lift Philadelphia past the Columbus Blue Jackets, who came away with a 5-3 win on Wednesday night at Nationwide Arena.
The Flyers, now 24-19-9, saw their defensive lapses exploited by a Blue Jackets team that’s been finding its offensive rhythm lately. Columbus (25-20-7) came out firing early and never really let up, capitalizing on Philadelphia’s mistakes and making the most of their chances, especially when the Flyers were caught out of position.
Let’s break down how this one unfolded.
Blue Jackets Waste No Time
Columbus didn’t wait long to get the cannon booming. Just 38 seconds into the game-and on their very first shot-Charlie Coyle made it 1-0.
The goal came off a Flyers turnover, as Trevor Zegras tried to connect with Christian Dvorak to clear the zone. The puck instead found Coyle, who beat Dan Vladar cleanly.
Tough welcome back for Vladar, who was making his first start since returning from injury.
The Flyers didn’t register a shot until nearly nine minutes in, but when they did, it nearly changed the game. Bobby Brink sprung Matvei Michkov on a breakaway, but Elvis Merzlikins turned him away.
No matter-Philadelphia struck on their very next shot. Travis Konecny, who’s been the team’s offensive motor all season, buried his 18th goal of the year off assists from Cam York and Noah Juulsen to tie things up at 1-1.
Philadelphia had a promising power-play chance not long after, with Zegras ringing one off the post. But a too-many-men penalty cut the opportunity short, and Columbus made them pay.
Adam Fantilli and Zach Werenski worked the puck down low, with Werenski winning a board battle against Owen Tippett. He found Kirill Marchenko wide open on the far side, and Marchenko didn’t miss. His one-timer made it 2-1 heading into the first intermission.
Gudbranson Adds On, Flyers’ Power Play Comes Up Empty
The Blue Jackets still had power-play time to work with to start the second, but the Flyers killed it off. That didn’t stop Columbus from extending their lead.
Right off an offensive zone faceoff, Coyle won the draw back to Cole Sillinger, who teed up Erik Gudbranson for a booming slapshot from the point. It was Gudbranson’s first goal of the season, and it gave Columbus a 3-1 lead early in the second.
Philadelphia had another crack with the man advantage, and the Zegras-Dvorak-Brink-Konecny-York unit looked dangerous again. But once more, they couldn’t convert. The Flyers entered the third period still trailing by two.
Konecny Keeps Philly Alive
Early in the third, a Christian Dvorak tripping penalty put Columbus back on the power play. Adam Fantilli nearly made it 4-1, but Dan Vladar flashed the leather and made a highlight-reel glove save to keep the Flyers in it.
That stop proved crucial. Moments later, Konecny struck again-this time crashing into the slot and firing home his second of the night to make it 3-2. Dvorak and Jamie Drysdale picked up the assists.
Vladar continued to keep Philly in the game with another big-time save, and the Flyers pushed hard for the equalizer. With just under eight minutes left, they got another power-play chance. Columbus clogged the middle and killed it off, but the Flyers kept pressing.
Eventually, the pressure paid off.
Travis Sanheim threaded a perfect pass to the back door, where Konecny was waiting. He buried it for his third goal of the night-his third career hat trick-and tied the game at 3-3. It was a moment of resilience for a Flyers team that had been chasing the game all night.
Late Goals Sink Flyers
But Columbus wasn’t done. With just minutes remaining, Sean Monahan found himself all alone in front of the crease and made no mistake, putting the Blue Jackets back on top 4-3. Damon Severson and Kent Johnson set up the go-ahead goal.
Philadelphia pulled Vladar for the extra attacker, but Mathieu Olivier iced it with an empty-netter, sealing the 5-3 win for Columbus.
What’s Next
The Flyers don’t have much time to dwell on this one. They’ll be back on the ice Thursday night in Boston, taking on the Bruins at TD Garden.
Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. EST.
Konecny’s performance was a reminder of how dangerous he can be when he gets rolling. But if the Flyers want to stay in the playoff mix, they’ll need to tighten up defensively and capitalize on their power-play chances. Because right now, effort alone isn’t enough.