Damon Severson and Zach Werenski both scored two goals, with Jet Greaves making 37 saves as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 6-2 on Saturday night, extending the Flyers’ losing streak to seven games.
Erik Gudbranson and Nick Blankenburg also scored for the Blue Jackets, who have been dealing with numerous injuries and had seven players from their American Hockey League affiliate in Cleveland playing in the game.
Despite their last-place standing, the Blue Jackets have managed to win three of their last four games. “We’re just trying to play hockey and build a good culture and foundation for the guys who will be here in the future,” said Severson. “Tonight was a good night for the defensemen.”
Olle Lycksell and Adam Ginning scored for the Flyers, while Samuel Errson made 27 saves. Despite their losing streak, the Flyers are still in contention for third place in the Metropolitan Division and the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.
“It’s an ugly loss,” commented Flyers coach John Tortorella. “We can’t get discouraged. We’ve got to stay positive and keep working.” The Blue Jackets made NHL history by having defensemen score six goals in a single game, tying a record set by the Washington Capitals in 1992.
“It wasn’t planned that way,” said Columbus coach Pascal Vincent. “The defensemen took charge and played with great gap control. When you play like that, good things happen.”
Gudbranson opened the scoring for Columbus in the first period, followed by goals from Severson and Blankenburg to give the Blue Jackets a 3-0 lead. Severson scored his second goal in the second period, with Werenski adding two more in the third period.
Ginning scored his first NHL goal late in the third period, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the game.
