COLUMBUS, Ohio — While the Flyers' power play continues to tank — 3 for its last 32 (nine percent) — after leading the NHL last month, they are getting better play at even strength.
That was one of the positives to come out of the weekend and Sunday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets, as the Flyers snared three of four points in two games.
“Both goalies played well the last two days,” Wayne Simmonds said. “It starts from there and going out and we were protecting in front of the net real well. Not giving up too much in the slot. But we wanted two points here.
“We played a really good game. A continuation from [Saturday] night, we did a lot of good things. Sometimes, you don’t always get the bounces you want.”
The Flyers were 0 for 1 on the power play at Columbus and remain ninth in the league at 21.5 percent.
Coach Dave Hakstol did not skate the team on Monday in Buffalo. The Flyers meet the Sabres on Tuesday.
Penalty kill
The Flyers' PK units have killed off seven straight power plays over the past four games. They were 2 for 2 against Columbus.
Coincidentally, those four games also saw them defend against the top four power plays in the NHL. The Blue Jackets remain first in the NHL in power-play efficiency at 26.7 percent.
Streaking
Brayden Schenn’s goal with 16.5 seconds left in regulation tied the game, 1-1, and sent it to overtime.
Schenn had two prime scoring chances earlier in the game against Columbus, shooting high over the net on one and stabbing the puck on the backhand past the post off the rush on the second opportunity.
Incredibly, this was his eighth goal in a row that has either tied a game, given the Flyers a lead or has been the game-winning goal. He had a hat trick against Dallas in which all three of his goals fit one of those criteria.
“I thought in playing back to back, we played pretty well,” Schenn said, referring to Saturday’s 4-2 win over Tampa Bay in Philly. “We generated a lot of good plays.”
Loose pucks
For the 11th time this season, rookie defenseman Ivan Provorov logged more than 23 minutes ice time. He led the club in this game with 23:47. He had an assist, three shot attempts, two hits and two blocked shots. ... The Flyers blocked 22 shots against the Blue Jackets. Andrew MacDonald, Michael Del Zotto and Radko Gudas led the way with four apiece. ... Strange but true: Michael Raffl picked up the fourth fighting major of his career and second this season.
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