Here’s a shocker: The Flyers lost to Columbus, 4-3, at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday night after a full five days between games.
That was probably “the lock” of the week if you bet on hockey as the Blue Jackets -– winless in their previous nine games (0-8-1) -– played with a sense of desperation that the Flyers lacked throughout, save for a few spells in the third period.
The Flyers finished the four-game homestand 3-1, while their five-game unbeaten streak at home ended.
With a power play that carried into the third period expiring, Michael Del Zotto took a Claude Giroux pass in the zone and ripped a shot off the far post into the net at 1:10 to make it a one-goal affair. That was as close as it would get.
After a strong performance against Colorado last weekend, Columbus shredded the Flyers' penalty-kill units with three power-play goals on their first four opportunities.
Nick Foligno and James Wisniewski each had two goals, while Ryan Johansen added four assists.
For the Flyers, Jakub Voracek extended his point streak to nine games, trying his career-high with a power-play goal in the second period. He and Sidney Crosby were temporarily tied for the NHL scoring lead (24 points), but Crosby picked up an assist against Toronto to reclaim the lead.
Between stoppages in the first period, the Flyers showed a video tribute of Scott Hartnell on the Jumbotron as fans applauded his return to South Philly.
Hartnell acknowledged the ovation from the Columbus bench.
Nice touch
Flyers coach Craig Berube started R.J. Umberger on the top line to go head-to-head against Hartnell, whom he was traded for. Umberger returned to his usual line next shift.
Ended
Wisniewski’s power-play goal at 8:23 of the first period was the first time the Flyers trailed an opponent during the homestand.
Notable goals
Voracek’s power-play goal at 3:21 of the second period tied the game at 2-2. Wayne Simmonds' backhander was wide of the goal and the puck was loose in the slot as Voracek reached out and dived in front to rip it past Curtis McElhinney.
Goalie report
Steve Mason didn’t have any momentum saves and failed to look sharp in this one.
Power play
The Blue Jackets were 3 for 4. The Flyers were 2 for 3. During the homestand, they were 4 for 11 (36 percent). The turning point came in the second period when both Braydon Coburn and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare failed to clear a puck during a lengthy 5-on-3 Blue Jackets power play and Wisniewski made it 4-2.
Penalty kill
The Flyers were torched in this one and not very aggressive, just kind of standing around and observing.
Injuries
Columbus came into the game minus eight starters and still outplayed the Flyers.
Scratches
Defensemen Andrew MacDonald (right knee) and Luke Schenn (left shoulder); forwards Michael Raffl (right foot) and Blair Jones (healthy).
Up next
The Flyers charter out after this game immediately to Montreal, where they will face the Canadiens on Saturday night at Bell Centre. The Habs are 8-1-0 against the Eastern Conference this season.