After last night's loss I think we, as Flyers fans, were collectively holding our breath waiting for tonight's game in hopes that it would provide a happier ending. That didn't happen as the Blue Jackets and Flyers both kept their streaks alive as Columbus won it's 8th straight and the Flyers lost their 3rd straight.
I tweeted earlier that the Blue Jackets' hot streaks such as this current one, seem to come at some point every year. Usually that doesn't result in the playoffs. This might be the team that gets it done finally though, mostly due to the abysmal Metropolitan Division they lucked into. Columbus has only been to the playoffs once before, in 2009, and dropped all 4 games to the Detroit Red Wings.
The Flyers couldn't keep the puck in the offensive zone tonight, which led to their downfall. Columbus' D had an answer for them everytime they seemed to generate some offense. Couple that with the lackluster defensive play and an awful power play as of late and it's no surprise the Flyers have lost 3 straight. I'm not ready to press the panic button yet, no way. That Olympic break is looking sweeter by the moment though.
The Flyers have the Bruins, Ducks, Kings, Sharks and Avalanche all on deck. They'll need to get some wins out of the next few to remain in the hunt in the Metropolitan. Who am I kidding? They can probably drop all these games and still be in the hunt, but it's nicer to be in 2nd place than 7th place!
On to tonight's game. I mostly covered what led to the loss, but here's the main details. Hawaiian guitar player turned NHL star, Jack Johnson, scored the only goal in the first. We were 'sitting, waiting, wishing' that the Flyers would come out strong, but the whole season seems to be turned 'upside down'. (I couldn't resist)
The second period saw the Flyers take the lead after goals by Brayden Schenn and Vinny Lecavalier, but the lead was short-lived as Derek MacKenzie and Matt Calvert scored to put the Jackets back up 3-2 going into the third.
In the third the Jackets added insult to injury with goals from Brandon Dubinsky and Nathan Horton. Dubinsky(NYR), Horton(BOS), Bobrovsky(PHI), Anisimov(NYR), Letestu(PIT,WSH)? Seriously the Blue Jackets are an Eastern Conference frankenteam.
The Flyers are back at it Saturday at 1 against the Bruins at the Well. I'm expecting a better result. This Flyers team is one that could come out and beat the Bruins 5-1 for all we know. Gotta stay on top of the Metropolitan Division. The 3 losses haven't dropped the team out of the top 3, but continuing to get no points from sloppy efforts will ensure that that happens.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter, Mike: @BroadStBeat
The Flyers couldn't keep the puck in the offensive zone tonight, which led to their downfall. Columbus' D had an answer for them everytime they seemed to generate some offense. Couple that with the lackluster defensive play and an awful power play as of late and it's no surprise the Flyers have lost 3 straight. I'm not ready to press the panic button yet, no way. That Olympic break is looking sweeter by the moment though.
The Flyers have the Bruins, Ducks, Kings, Sharks and Avalanche all on deck. They'll need to get some wins out of the next few to remain in the hunt in the Metropolitan. Who am I kidding? They can probably drop all these games and still be in the hunt, but it's nicer to be in 2nd place than 7th place!
On to tonight's game. I mostly covered what led to the loss, but here's the main details. Hawaiian guitar player turned NHL star, Jack Johnson, scored the only goal in the first. We were 'sitting, waiting, wishing' that the Flyers would come out strong, but the whole season seems to be turned 'upside down'. (I couldn't resist)
The second period saw the Flyers take the lead after goals by Brayden Schenn and Vinny Lecavalier, but the lead was short-lived as Derek MacKenzie and Matt Calvert scored to put the Jackets back up 3-2 going into the third.
In the third the Jackets added insult to injury with goals from Brandon Dubinsky and Nathan Horton. Dubinsky(NYR), Horton(BOS), Bobrovsky(PHI), Anisimov(NYR), Letestu(PIT,WSH)? Seriously the Blue Jackets are an Eastern Conference frankenteam.
The Flyers are back at it Saturday at 1 against the Bruins at the Well. I'm expecting a better result. This Flyers team is one that could come out and beat the Bruins 5-1 for all we know. Gotta stay on top of the Metropolitan Division. The 3 losses haven't dropped the team out of the top 3, but continuing to get no points from sloppy efforts will ensure that that happens.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter, Mike: @BroadStBeat