The opening has a certain feel to it, perhaps optimism takes over by storm. The Columbus Blue Jackets took on Metro rival Philadelphia Flyers. Columbus believes they are nearing the end of a retooling and the Flyers enter what could be perhaps the bottoming-out season of the organization’s rebuild.
Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson, who had a bad training camp was a healthy scratch as the Blue Jackets would like to give him time to figure things out to avoid what happened last season to Cole Sillinger.
For the Blue Jackets Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov made their debut on the blueline. Early on Andrew Peeke got caught in an untimely line change that led to a two-on-one goal for the Flyers.
The game started with a lot of action and both teams tangled it up a few times. The Flyers led 2-1 after the first period. Jake Bean scored the Blue Jackets' goal on a push-up ice from Kirill Marchenko and an assist from Adam Fantilli, it was Fantilli’s first NHL point.
Zach Werenski went down when he looked to take a knee to quad hit that led to the second Blue Jackets power play. In what amounted to a sloppy period of hockey the Blue Jackets trailed 2-1 after the second period. The two teams continued the chippy play.
Needing a push in the third period the Blue Jackets had a quick power play thanks to a high stick from the Flyers Travis Sanheim but were unable to convert. The team played with little energy for a good chunk of the third period. `The Flyers won 4-2.
While some things need cleaning up, it is important to remember this is a new coaching staff and some new faces.
