The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the visiting Flyers 6-2 on Saturday night, dealing a blow to Philadelphia’s hopes of making the playoffs. Defensemen Zach Werenski and Damon Severson both scored twice.
For Columbus (26-39-12, 64 points), defensemen Erik Gudbranson and Nick Blankenburg also added to the score. Columbus won for just the fourth time in 14 games (4-8-2). In the victory, Johnny Gaudreau contributed two assists. With 36 saves, Jet Greaves won for the second time this year.
Olle Lycksell and Adam Ginning responded for the Flyers (36-31-11, 83 points). Philadelphia is winless in seven straight (0-5-2) and fell outside of the playoff picture with Saturday’s loss. Samuel Ersson stopped 27 shots.
Werenski gave the Jackets a 5-1 lead midway through the third, sailing a shot through traffic for his eighth goal of the season on a power play. The Blue Jackets blue-liner added his second of the night 57 seconds later, tapping in the rebound off Carson Meyer’s shot. Ginning pulled the Flyers to within four, beating a screened Greaves at 15:08 of the third for his first NHL goal.
The Jackets outscored the Flyers 2-1 in the middle period and held a 4-1 lead heading to the third. Severson one-timed a Gaudreau pass short-side past Ersson for his second of the night and ninth of the season at 8:21 of the middle frame. Lycksell got the Flyers on the board with 5:28 remaining in the second, tipping in a Hathaway pass for his first career NHL goal.
The Blue Jackets responded 48 seconds later as Blankenburg’s shot beat a screened Ersson glove-side for his first of the season. Columbus outshot Philadelphia 14-10 and led 2-0 after 20 minutes. Gudbranson opened the scoring at 12:08 of the first period, getting his point shot through a screened Ersson for his sixth of the season.
Columbus doubled its lead with 1:06 remaining in the period when Severson one-timed a Werenski pass past Ersson for his eighth of the season.With the victory, the Blue Jackets earned a split of the four-game season series against the Flyers.
