This one was 'needed'.
Every point is a needed point, but for a Columbus Blue Jackets squad who had dropped six games in a row and were in danger of completely dropping out of the playoff race, this was a really needed one, who have now dropped seven in a row.
The Blue Jackets started fast, slowed down a bit, tried to recover but fell short by a score of 4-3 in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.
Columbus is now back into a wild card spot in the playoffs thanks to their one-point earned if we're trying to look for a bright spot, though.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUE JACKETS | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| FLYERS | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
After a horrendous start in Philadelphia on Tuesday night - where the Blue Jackets let up two goals in the first five minutes, Tonight, Columbus returned the favor of fast starts, this time in their own barn. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his team-leading 21st goal of the season just 44 seconds into the contest to get the boys in blue rolling.
First the Danish Dynamo does it again. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/v7op0ubliY
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 21, 2020
In his 900th NHL game, the captain of the home team doubled down for his club. Nick Foligno scored arguably the sweetest goal of his career in between-the-legs fashion against Brian Elliott, whose jockstrap is still missing, by the way.
THIS BELONGS IN A MUSEUM.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/lcxeTJtiTW
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 21, 2020
Unlike the Blue Jackets of a few nights ago, the Flyers responded immediately, proving they wouldn't bow out of the game early to make the score 2-1, which is what the scoreboard would show at first period's end.
Then, as you would've obviously guessed, Stefan Matteau made himself known in his first career game with the Blue Jackets, redirecting a Boone Jenner wrist shot past Elliott to extend the lead to 3-1. The building was rocking, and it seemed Columbus was ready to run away with it.
Again, though, the Flyers came right back. Two goals within a minute and a half knotted the score at three, and Nationwide Arena fell silent.
Not to fear, Nathan Gerbe is here. In the final minutes of the second frame, Gerbe did what he does best - get under the opposing team's skin. This time, with a monstrous open-ice hit and a scrap in which he won.
You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/gKs8xAynGX
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 21, 2020
The Blue Jackets failed to convert on a power play following Gerbe's heroics, and the momentum was up for grabs once again. It took an entire period (and then some) for someone to make their mark on the game, and unfortunately, it was in the hands of the Flyers.
Kevin Hayes scored his 19th goal of the season, unassisted, in overtime to down the Blue Jackets and win their second-straight against their Metropolitan-Division foe.
Injury Report
Joonas Korpisalo has been assigned to the Cleveland Monsters for conditioning upon his return to the Blue Jackets. Josh Anderson has been skating in practice, but his return date is still unknown.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets' next contest comes on the road against the Nashville Predators this upcoming Saturday. Puck drop is at 8 pm at Bridgestone Arena.
