Larry Henry Jr
For the first time in franchise history, the Philadelphia Flyers have swept the Columbus Blue Jackets in a single regular season.
Kevin Hayes’ overtime winner sealed a comeback 4-3 win for Alain Vigneault’s side in Columbus on Thursday, giving them their seventh win out of the past ten games. Brian Elliott made 28 saves while Travis Konecny registered his second straight three point night.
“We want to keep climbing,” Elliott said. “We don’t want to sit back and watch other teams.”
It was a busy first period with the hosts running out a two-goal lead on home ice. Oliver Bjorkstrand beat Elliott 0:41 seconds into the game before Nick Foligno scored his seventh goal of the season just near the midway point.
Konecny pulled a goal back 0:23 seconds later to give the Flyers some life heading into the first intermission.
Stefan Matteau’s first goal of the season extended John Tortorella side’s lead to 3-1, but the Flyers would claw their way back into the game once again. Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s wicked wrist shot beat Elvis Merzlinkis to the right corner of the goal with under five minutes in the second period.
Claude Giroux’s slapshot on then power play tied things up 1:26 later giving the visitors all to play for heading into the third period.
We came back from 3-1. Now we want the lead but first we have a huge PK coming up. #PHIvsCBJ | #NowOrNever pic.twitter.com/AECbWFhSm8
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 21, 2020
Both teams had ample opportunities to seal a winning goal in the final 20 minutes, but the game would be decided in overtime.
Phillippe Myers and Konecny connected with Hayes on a break allowing the veteran to beat Merzlinkis for his 19th goal of the season.
PUT THE BELT ON @KevinPHayes12! #PHIvsCBJ | #NowOrNever pic.twitter.com/73DzoFQZYZ
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 21, 2020
Ultimately, the Flyers (75 points) would to five points back of the Metropolitan Division leading Pittsburgh Penguins after their impressive road win. It was the Flyers second win over the Blue Jackets this week and their 11th of 2020.
“It’s gonna be a fun run if we play the right way,” Hayes said. “Two weeks ago we were battling for the wild card. Now we’re battling for home-ice.”
The Flyers return to the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday to face the Winnipeg Jets (1 p.m. CSN Philadelphia).
You can follow Larry Henry on Twitter (@lhenry019) and e-mail him at [email protected].
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