A promising start evaporated almost instantly.
The Philadelphia Flyers (34-24-12) faced a must-win scenario, hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets (38-22-11). Rick Tocchet, in his pre-game, preached a non-negotiable game plan to suffocate the Blue Jackets. Execution remained an issue throughout regulation for the Flyers. It sounds like lazy analysis, but the point remained true: the team that won finished on their scoring chances. En route to the 2025-2026 sweep of Philadelphia, Columbus played a more complete game and converted on their opportunities.
Now, the Flyers remain five points out of the last Wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, chasing the Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, and Ottawa Senators. They’re six points out of the last Metropolitan Division playoff spot, chasing the Pittsburgh Penguins after the Blue Jackets leaped into second place with last night’s win.
Only 12 games remain in the 2025-2026 NHL Regular Season for Philadelphia. They’ll need a monumental run while some of those teams ahead of them have a monumental collapse. Here’s how it all went down last night from the Xfinity Mobile Arena (The Call Center):
First Period
Shots on Goal: 10-3, Flyers
Score: 1-0, Flyers
Daniel Vladař went head-to-head with Jet Greaves. Earlier this season, Vladař went head-to-head with Greaves en route to a 2-1 shootout loss. Last night was a rematch between the two goaltenders.
Almost immediately, both goaltenders were tested. Mathieu Olivier, who led Columbus in shots on goal last night, began the first period with a point-blank scoring chance, but Vladař made the save. Alex Bump was credited with the first shot on goal for the Flyers.
Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett began to put pressure on Greaves. Tippett totaled seven shots on goal for Philadelphia, leading the way for his team. Regarding Tippett, that’s been his story lately; peppering goaltenders to an average of 4.4SOG/GP over the last five games. Zegras continued to be patient, looking for passing lanes to make plans, just as Tocchet preached before the puck dropped. Throughout the first period, just about everything Tocchet said in his pre-game message was executed almost flawlessly.
“That was a hell of a first period. I thought they had about five minutes. The game was even after that. Execution; should’ve been up three-nothing, at least.” – Rick Tocchet; 3/24/2026
Then, Zegras served a minor penalty for high-sticking. The Flyers finished 2/2 (100%) on the penalty kill. However, on this particular penalty kill, Noah Cates broke away from the pack, drawing a hook from Kirill Marchenko. Awarded a penalty shot, Cates searched for the all-important first goal of the game, but Greaves denied the effort.
Not long after, following a couple of missed calls from the officials, Philadelphia got its receipt on the Blue Jackets. Boone Jenner got away with what should’ve been a boarding call, hitting Noah Juulsen. Nick Seeler returned the favor, crunching Marchenko.
Sean Couturier put the Flyers ahead, 1-0, scoring on a rebound with 2:53 remaining in the first period. The forecheck was relentless, starting with Couturier putting a body on Mason Marchment. Rasmus Ristolainen took a shot from the point, caroming off the back wall. Luke Glendening generated the rebound for Couturier.
Philadelphia is one of the worst teams in the NHL when it comes to scoring first, and they achieved that against one of the best teams in scoring first.
Second Period
Shots on Goal: 17-14, Flyers
Score: 2-1, Blue Jackets
Everything began to unravel for the Flyers early in the second period.
Olivier pressured Vladař from the onset. He continued his persistence, and it paid off. Zach Werenski drew Ristolainen away from Olivier, and the passing lane couldn’t have been more open. A poor line change by Philadelphia allowed the three-on-two, odd-man rush. Olivier scored, 1-1, with 19:16 remaining in the second period.
Soon after, Werenski made it a multi-point evening on his own behalf. This time, Zegras and Travis Sanheim were left on an island with Werenski in the high-slot. Ristolainen, Tippett, and Denver Barkey were practically along the perimeter while Columbus moved the puck into the open middle. Werenski scored, 2-1, with 17:32 remaining in the second period.
Just like that, the Flyers, who finally scored first in a game, trailed the Blue Jackets. Philadelphia is certainly used to playing from behind, but against a team they hadn’t defeated in 2025-2026 with real playoff implications hanging in the balance, it wasn’t an ideal situation.
However, Olivier would serve a minor penalty for interference. The Flyers finished 0/1 (0%) on the power play, where Sanheim and Travis Konecny were credited with shots on goal.
Business picked up when Christian Dvorak fought Dante Fabbro. Fabbro, in 2024, was claimed off waivers when released by the Nashville Predators. He’s a top-four defenseman on Columbus. Flat out, I still think it was a missed opportunity on the part of Daniel Brière; not claiming Fabbro. He’s four years younger than Ristolainen, on a more team-friendly contract, more available for the NHL season, and defensively more sound.
Third Period
Shots on Goal: 26-19, Flyers
Score: 3-2, Blue Jackets
One goal is not a huge deficit to overcome. Philadelphia did it often enough this season. However, the Blue Jackets did more damage.
Marchment had the last laugh. He ate an earlier hit from Couturier before the Flyers appeared on the scoreboard. His eventual game-winner, 3-1, with 15:22 remaining in the third period, Marchment snuck his shot past Vladař, and the goal celebration began without any horn, siren, or official call. Columbus knew Marchment scored immediately, and so did Vladař.
Tocchet pulled Vladař for the six-on-five advantage. It did pay off.
Jamie Drysdale slapped the puck past Greaves, 3-2, with 2:04 remaining in the third period. Zegras located Drysdale at the point, and the puck found the back of the net with Matvei Michkov generating just enough traffic.
Once more, Tocchet pulled Vladař for another six-on-five late push. Greaves shut down the final attempts, securing the regulation win. Philadelphia saw their six game point-streak snap.
During that six-game point streak, the Blue Jackets were the only team to hand the Flyers a loss. The shoe fits.
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
