NHL

Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets

· National Hockey League
Final
2 - 6

Severson and Werenski score 2 goals each as the Blue Jackets extend Flyers' skid with a 6-2 win

Zach Werenski lights the lamp for Blue Jackets

Erik Gudbranson and Nick Blankenburg also scored for the injury-ravaged Blue Jackets, whose lines included seven players who were playing for their American Hockey League affiliate in Cleveland a month ago.

With the patched-together lines, the last-place Blue Jackets have won three of the last four.

“Unfortunately, where we are (in the standings) we’re just trying to play hockey and build a good culture and a good foundation for the guys who are going to be here moving forward,” Severson said. “Tonight was just a good night from the D-men.”

Olle Lycksell and Adam Ginning had goals and Samuel Errson made 27 saves for the reeling Flyers, who despite the skid remain in the thick of a tight race for third place in the Metropolitan Division and the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.

“It’s a loss. It’s an ugly one," Flyers coach John Tortorella said. "We can’t get discouraged. No one is going to help us out of this, and being discouraged is not going to help it. We’ve just got to stay positive.”

The Blue Jackets tied an NHL record for the most goals in a single game by defensemen with six. Washington blue-liners also scored six on Dec. 4, 1992.

“It wasn’t planned that way. They took charge,” Columbus coach Pascal Vincent said. “Their gap control was right for all six defensemen. They made the right plays and when you play like that, good things happen. It’s exciting for our team when those guys can contribute.”

The 32-year-old Gudbranson tied a career-high with his sixth goal of the season 12:08 into the game. Columbus took a 2-0 lead late in the first when a cross-ice pass by Werenski set up Severson for a blazing one-timer from the top of the left circle.

Severson got his second of the night 8:23 into the second period when he went top-shelf on another one-timer, this time set up by Johnny Gaudreau, who had two assists.

Philadelphia finally got on the board late in the second when Lycksell got his first NHL goal on a tip-in. Blankenburg answered for the Blue Jackets 52 seconds later with his first goal of the season.

Werenski added two more in the space of two minutes in the third period. Ginning scored his first NHL goal late in the third, but the game was already out of hand.

“We’re not getting that scoring touch. And it’s up and down (the lineup) right now,” Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway said. "I think the way to get out of it is just to keep going, keep pushing through.”

UP NEXT

Flyers: At Montreal on Tuesday night.

Blue Jackets: At Carolina on Sunday.

Regular Season Series

Series tied 2-2

Scoring Summary

Goal 1st Period 12:08 Erik Gudbranson Goal (6) Snap Shot, assists: Mikael Pyyhtia (1), Justin Danforth (12)
Goal 1st Period 18:54 Damon Severson Goal (8) Snap Shot, assists: Zach Werenski (43), Johnny Gaudreau (46)
Goal 2nd Period 8:23 Damon Severson Goal (9) Snap Shot, assists: Johnny Gaudreau (47), Alex Nylander (4)
Goal 2nd Period 14:32 Olle Lycksell Goal (1) Wrist Shot, assists: Garnet Hathaway (9)
Goal 2nd Period 15:20 Nick Blankenburg Goal (1) Snap Shot, assists: David Jiricek (9), Alexandre Texier (18)
Goal 3rd Period 9:29 Zach Werenski Goal (8) Snap Shot, assists: Dmitri Voronkov (16)
Goal 3rd Period 11:26 Zach Werenski Goal (9) Snap Shot, assists: Carson Meyer (1), James Malatesta (1)
Goal 3rd Period 15:08 Adam Ginning Goal (1) Snap Shot, assists: Noah Cates (11), Ronnie Attard (2)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/phi.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originPHI https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/cbj.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCBJ
19 Blocked Shots 15
13 Hits 10
2 Takeaways 8
39 Shots 33
0 Power Play Goals 1
2 Power Play Opportunities 3
0.0 Power Play Percentage 33.3
0 Short Handed Goals 0
0 Shootout Goals 0
30 Faceoffs Won 30
50.0 Faceoff Win Percent 50.0
8 Giveaways 7
3 Total Penalties 1
6 Penalty Minutes 4

Game Information

Nationwide Arena

Location: Columbus, OH
Attendance: 18,323 | Capacity:

2023-24 Metropolitan Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
NY Rangers 55 23 114 4
Carolina 52 23 111 7
NY Islanders 39 27 94 16
Washington 40 31 91 11
Pittsburgh 38 32 88 12
Philadelphia 38 33 87 11
New Jersey 38 39 81 5
Columbus 27 43 66 12
Full Standings