A matter of inches helped the Flyers salvage another point. And another odd-man-rush foiled the Flyers chance for the second.
A goal by Brayden Schenn in the final minute of regulation just barely trickled over the line to force overtime.
But in the extra session, the Flyers chances were thwarted by Sergei Bobrovsky before Kevin Connauton finished a 2-on-1 with a goal to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 3-2 win over the Flyers on Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena.
The Blue Jackets struck for the first goal of the game the way they had in their two previous meetings with the Flyers. A pass attempt by Boone Jenner was blocked by Braydon Coburn and bounced right back to the tape of Jenner for an easy power-play goal at 12:34 of the first.
The Flyers used a late power-play in the first. At 17:53, a rush started in the Flyers zone sent Claude Giroux charging up ice. He centered a perfect pass to Schenn who beat Bobrovsky to even the score through one.
Columbus dominated the second, out-shooting the Flyers, 8-6, but controlling play. They also scored the only goal of the period, as Scott Hartnell managed to put a weak shot past Steve Mason. Mason argued that he was interfered with prior to the goal and replay showed there was contact between he and Nick Foligno, but the goal stood.
The Flyers returned in the third with much stronger play but could not sustain pressure. Two penalties midway through the period threatened the Flyers chances of a comeback.
But in the final minute, Jake Voracek threw a shot toward the slot that was tipped on goal by Schenn. The puck barely leaked through Bobrovsky as the whistle sounded and referee Dave Jackson signaled the puck was frozen and there was no goal. After review, the goal counted and the Flyers had tied the game.
In overtime, the Flyers continued to supply pressure, as they kept the puck in the offensive zone for a majority of the extra session.
That extra session was short-lived, however, as the Blue Jackets emerged with the puck after a long offensive shift for Sean Couturier and Matt Read.
With the Flyers caught in the offensive zone, Columbus got a 2-on-1 with Ryan Johansen and defenseman Connauton. Johansen threaded a pass to Connauton in the slot and he fired top shelf to beat Mason and give the Blue Jackets the win.
Mason made 21 saves in the loss. Bobrovsky stopped 19 of 21 shots.
Schenn finished with two goals, his second multi-goal game of the season. Voracek and Giroux continued to put up points. For Giroux, it was his third straight game with a point.
It was also the third straight game with a point for the Flyers, who finished a five-game road trip with four points – all over their final three games. The Flyers are 9-13-5 following the overtime loss.
The Flyers return home for their first of four straight games at Wells Fargo Center. They face the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. The opening face-off is set for 7 p.m.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
