Instant reactions: Dan Vladar does everything he can in Flyers shootout loss to Columbus

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The Philadelphia Flyers badly needed two points in regulation to close the gap against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team ahead of them in the standings. So, of course, it was 1-1 through 60 minutes and everybody gets one point no matter what!

Alex Bump tied the game midway through the first period, and there was no scoring after that, although the game did get a little contentious after Kirill Marchenko boarded Denver Barkey, Carl Grundstrom boarded (and fought) Adam Fantilli, and Damon Severson seemed like he was addicted to cross-checking Barkey.

But, ultimately, the Flyers just did not have enough urgency to win this game in regulation, failing to score on the double-minor Barkey manufactured, and icing the fourth line in the final minute of the third period. Philly made a strong push in the final 30 seconds of overtime, but fell in the shootout, as Matvei Michkov, Trevor Zegras (!), and Travis Konecny all failed to beat Jet Greaves, while Vladar stopped Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli before Marchenko beat him for the win.

In a huge test of the Orange & Black’s ability to get seriously back into the playoff race, the Flyers simply weren’t good enough.

First period

Highlight: Alex Bump’s second career goal ties the game midway through the first period! Kirill Marchenko gave Columbus an early lead, capitalizing on a mad scramble in front of Dan Vladar in which it appeared Travis Konecny took a puck up high in the first five minutes of the game, but Bump got his stick on an Emil Andrae shot to knot up the game. The goal wasn’t called initially on the ice, with the officials seeming to believe it only caught post, but upon further review, Bump’s deflection hit the left post, and then hit the back center bar in the net, then came back out. We have a GOOD goal (shoutout Jeff Marek).

What I want to see next period: The Flyers need to pick up the pressure. Philly came out strong, despite allowing the first goal for the 45th time in 65 games, but as the period went on, the Blue Jackets, a team the Flyers are trying to surpass in the Eastern Conference standings, took over. Columbus outshot Philly 13-6, and out-attempted the home team 25-17, despite the Flyers getting the game’s lone power play thus far (no SOG on the man advantage). The Flyers badly need to win this game in regulation to give themselves a shot, and it isn’t exactly trending their way right now, but with the score tied at one, a few good shifts to start the second could swing things quickly.

Also, Marchenko boarded Denver Barkey, who has surprisingly returned in the second period. Still, I wouldn’t mind seeing Marchenko get his comeuppance at some point. Maybe via Nick Seeler or Nikita Grebenkin?

Second period

Highlight: DENVER BARKEY! Barkey was back after intermission and made his presence felt late in the period, leveling Damon Severson behind the Columbus net, to which Severson retaliated with a cross-check. If that wasn’t enough, Severson followed Barkey to the net front and continued the assault with his stick, earning him two separate minor penalties. The Flyers were on the power play when all this occurred but couldn’t take advantage of a couple seconds of 5v3 time, but they’ll have over 3 minutes of power play time to take the lead in a game that has suddenly become very contentious.

What I want to see next period: I want a couple of Flyers goals, and then all hell to break loose. The Blue Jackets have been taking liberties with the undersized Barkey all night, and I’d sure love to see a little justice. Plus, a regulation win.

Third period

Highlight: In the final minute of a tie game against a division opponent the Flyers are chasing in the standings, the Grundstrom-Couturier-Glendening line gets a shift. Playing for the tie against a team four points up on you… genius! Anyway, we’re getting overtime for the 23rd time this season.

Overtime

Very little action in the 3v3, until Trevor Zegras sprung Matvei Michkov on a breakaway with 30 seconds left, but Michkov was checked at the last minute as he came in on Jet Greaves, and failed to get a shot off. Zegras tried to set up Rasmus Ristolainen on the short side from behind the net as the clock wound down, but Risto couldn’t get his bid to go and we go to a shootout.

Final note: The Flyers power play is a joke. Rocky Thompson, for all our complaining about him, never had Trevor Zegras, and this year’s power play is as bad, if not worse, than a couple of his units. More than 3:30 of power play time to start the third in a must-win against a team they’re chasing in the division standings, and the Flyers do NOTHING. Unacceptable.

Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame