Instant reactions: Travis Konecny’s HAT TRICK not enough in Flyers loss to Blue Jackets

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Travis Konecny scored the third goal of his third career hat trick to tie the game at three with 4:46 left in regulation, but it was Sean Monahan who scored the game-winner in the final three minutes to give the Columbus Blue Jackets their third straight win and bring them even in the standing with Philly.

Rasmus Ristolainen left the game after a pair of shifts after returning to the lineup Monday, and Dan Vladar seemed to really find his game in the second period, his first action since leaving the Buffalo game after 20 minutes two weeks ago.

This one was a heart-breaker for TK and Vladar, whose individual efforts were worthy of their teammates helping them earn two points. To not even get a loser point? That sucked.

First period

Highlight: After surrendering the first goal Charlie Coyle just 38 seconds in, the Flyers finally got their first shot on goal after 8:30 of game time, with Elvis Merzlikins denying Matvei Michkov on a breakaway when Michkov tried to go five-hole off the deke with Boone Jenner bearing down on him. But it was on the next shift that Travis Konecny tied the game with his 18th goal of the year. Unfortunately, with a late power play, the Flyers not only failed to take advantage but took a too many men penalty to make it a 4-on-4. In the final 20 seconds of the period, Zach Werenski out-battled Owen Tippett along the wall in the Flyers’ d-zone, and got the puck to Kirill Marchenko, allowing Columbus to take a 2-1 lead into intermission.

What I want to see next period: Discipline. And not just staying out of the box, but they have to do that, too. A too many men call to negate a late power play? Brutal! But it’s also discipline with the puck. Columbus’s first goal was the result of a Trevor Zegras turnover on what sholud have been a fairly standard breakout. These sorts of turnovers, especially on zone exits, have plagued Philly for weeks and they just have to tighten up. Owen Tippett was had a step on Zach Werenski in the 4v4, but got “taken down” (I was fine with the no-call, Tippett just needs to keep his feet under him) leading to the second Blue Jackets tally. Toughen up, physically and mentally!

Second period

Highlight: No Flyers goals in the period, but Dan Vladar seemed to really find his game, making 15 saves, including eight in the final eight minutes, when Philly was outshot 8-1 (and 16-6 for the period). It was a rough start for Vladar, allowing a goal on the first shot he faced, but I’m not putting the blame on Vladar for any of the first three goals, as bad turnovers and traffic off of clean faceoff wins were the main culprit.

What I want to see next period: Just try to get one early and make this a dramatic game. Please don’t roll over against this mediocre Columbus team, and terrible goaltender, who has held teams to fewer than three goals only two times in 18 starts (technically three times but he was pulled after the first in his last start after giving up two on seven shots).

Third period

Highlight: Christian Dvorak took a tripping penalty 42 seconds in and it appeared as if Adam Fantilli was about to make it 4-1 on the power play, but Vladar made a huge glove save, sliding from his left to his right to deny what was an open backdoor for the 2023 third overall draft pick. Less than three minutes later, TK brought the Flyers within one, scoring his 19th of the year to make it 3-2. AND WITH 10 MINUTES LEFT IN THE PERIOD, VLADAR MADE ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SAVE TO STONE BOONE JENNER! They have to win this for Vladar in his first game back.

Then with under five minutes to play, Konecny completes the hat trick to tie the game! Hell yes!

Final note: There has been a lot of talk about this team’s veteran leadership, and “old core” of Sean Couturier, Travis Sanheim and TK get the brunt of the criticism. But TK is one hell of a lead-by-example player for this fairly young roster. He scored the only two goals in the Vegas game to end the losing streak, and tonight he scored a hat trick to drag the Flyers back into the game. A couple shifts after Konecny tied the game with his third goal, the team gave the lead back with 3:28 to play on a Sean Monahan goal. If there’s an issue with players not challenging each other enough, or getting in each others’ faces in the locker room, and holding their teammates accountable, both TK and Vladar have more than enough reason to end that trend following tonight’s efforts.

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