Flyers edged by Blue Jackets in OT as winless streak hits four
After a tough loss in Columbus last Thursday, the Flyers were looking for revenge on Tuesday night at the same place.
For a while it looked like they might be able to do just that at Nationwide Arena.
They rallied from two-goal deficits twice. It wasn’t enough. Columbus got a goal from Vladislav Garvrikov at 3:14 of overtime to send the Flyers to a 5-4 loss, extending their winless streak to four games (0-3-1).
Philadelphia had rallied on goals from Nick Seeler and Travis Konecny in the third period. But they couldn’t get a go-ahead goal.
The Flyers surrendered a pair just 13 seconds apart in the third period.
In that final session, the Blue Jackets got goals from Boone Jenner (his second of the game) at 3:22 and then Eric Robinson at 3:35.
Goaltender Carter Hart took the overtime loss, dropping his record to 6-2-3.
The Flyers started to turn things around on a goal from Kevin Hayes, who converted a Konecny pass at 8:54. Hayes’ shot eluded goalie Elvis Merzlikins.
Noah Cates tied the score at 12:16. He finished off a two-on-one rush with Zack MacEwen. That was all for Merzlikins, who appeared to injure his left leg earlier in the period. Merlikins limped off to the locker room and was replaced by Joonas Korpisalo
Columbus scored first on a goal from Sean Kuraly at 12:36. It was the 12th time in 16 games the Flyers gave up the first goal of the game, most in the NHL this season.
Johnny Gaudreau, who continues to haunt the Flyers with his offense, set up Jenner for the second Blue Jacket goal by Jenner at 5:36 of the second period.
In the third, Jenner blocked a Konecny shot, raced the length of the ice and slid a short shot past Hart. Robinson connected shortly after.
Seeler scored at 4:58 to bring the Flyers within a goal. Then Konecny tied the game with a powerplay goal to send the game to overtime.
Philadelphia’s record fell to 7-6-3.
Allison on IR: The Flyers announced right wing Wade Allison has been placed on injured reserve and will miss approximately three weeks of action due to strained oblique and hip pointer injuries.
Coach John Tortorella worked behind the Flyer bench despite suffering facial injuries when he was kicked by one of his horses at his farm on Monday. Tortorella was sporting a cut below his left eye and he suspects he may have suffered a broken nose as well . . . . The Flyers play the second game of their three-game road trip on Thursday night in Boston.