Three Takeaways From Flyers Shootout Loss vs. Blue Jackets

In a tightly contested game that extended into a shootout, the Philadelphia Flyers fell 3-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road.

It was a night where some brilliant performances (both individually and as a group) were counterbalanced by lapses in execution, and while the Flyers came away with a hard-earned point, they were left with plenty to dissect.

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Ivan Fedotov Continues to Prove His Value

Ivan Fedotov delivered a commanding performance in net, stopping 26 of 28 shots in regulation and overtime. While the loss will sting, Fedotov’s play was instrumental in keeping the Flyers competitive throughout the game.

Columbus had stretches of sustained offensive pressure, yet Fedotov’s positioning and poise gave his team a chance to reset and regroup.

This game served as a reminder of why Fedotov is solidifying his role as the Flyers’ No. 2 goaltender—coming off a period of inconsistent playing time, he once again showcased his ability to rise to the occasion.

His lateral movement was sharp, and his reads on Columbus’s more creative offensive plays were excellent. Fedotov had a particularly impressive diving glove save that he’ll want to add to his highlight reel ASAP.

With Sam Ersson entrenched as the starter, Fedotov’s consistency gives the Flyers something they haven’t had in years: a reliable tandem. If he continues this trajectory, the goaltending position could become one of the team’s greatest strengths.

Bobby Brink Breaks Through

Bobby Brink’s goal in the first period was not just a moment of celebration but a validation of the winger’s recent efforts. The 23-year-old had been playing smart, effective hockey in the games leading up to this one but hadn’t been rewarded on the scoresheet. Finally, that changed in Columbus, after a pass from Nick Seeler found a well-positioned Brink to guide it into the back of the net.

Brink’s goal was a result of his tenacity in high-danger areas, along with the continued effectiveness of being on a line with Tyson Foerster and Noah Cates. Both Cates and Foerster fought to keep the puck in the Blue Jackets’ zone, while Seeler was at the right place at the right time to deliver the pass. It was a moment the Flyers have been waiting for, given Brink’s strong play-driving metrics and his knack for creating scoring chances.

His goal also signaled the depth the Flyers are trying (and so far succeeding) to cultivate. While Travis Konecny continues to lead the team offensively, contributions from players like Brink are essential if the Flyers hope to sustain success.

Too Much Time and Space

If there was one storyline that defined the Flyers’ struggles in this game, it was their inability to contain Zach Werenski. The Blue Jackets defenseman was the difference-maker, scoring both of Columbus’s regulation goals to force overtime and, eventually, the shootout that they would end up victorious in.

Werenski, one of the NHL’s premier puck-moving defensemen, has the skill set to punish even minor lapses. Giving him time and space is a recipe for disaster, as he demonstrated.

He currently is tied with Cale Makar for most points by a defenseman in the NHL this season (but Werenski has done so in fewer games, giving him the first place slot), with Quinn Hughes coming in third.

The Flyers’ defense has looked stronger in recent games (a shutout against Anaheim and a win against Florida is nothing to sniff at), but with an elite offensive presence like Werenski, there are still some learning curves when it comes to containing him.

John Tortorella loves a “teaching moment,” and this game will be a good one to learn from. Coming away with a point is obviously a better alternative than a straight-up loss, especially when the Flyers have struggled in the latter halves of back-to-backs. Even if it’s just a step, it’s still movement in the right direction.