The start was everything the Philadelphia Flyers could have hoped for. They were generating chances, on the verge of breaking through for the all-important first goal of the game. And they got it late in the first, bringing Xfinity Mobile Arena to life.

That all vanished in the first three minutes of the second period, as the Columbus Blue Jackets took the lead and never looked back, handing the Flyers a 3-2 defeat on Tuesday night.

How It Happened

The Flyers had several chances in the first to get the game’s first goal. Owen Tippett was stopped on a breakaway. Noah Cates got a penalty shot off a shorthanded breakaway and was stopped.

Finally with 2:53 to play in the first, the Flyers broke through. Sean Couturier pounced on a rebound in the crease to make it 1-0 with his eighth goal of the season.

Early in the second, Columbus turned the game in their favor with two quick goals. Mathieu Olivier scored off the rush for his 15th goal of the season just 44 seconds into the period. Zach Werenski added his 21st of the season just 1:44 later to make it 2-1.

Columbus added to the lead at 4:38 of the third. A shot by Mason Marchment hit the back bar of the net, and was determined to be a goal after a review. It was Marchment’s 17th goal of the season to make it 3-1.

Box Score1st Period2nd PeriodCBJ Mathieu Olivier (15) (Zach Werenski, Damon Severson) 0:44CBJ Werenski (21) (Severson, Mason Marchment) 2:283rd PeriodBy the NumbersShots: Flyers: 26, Blue Jackets: 19Power Play: Flyers: 0-for-1, Blue Jackets: 0-for-2Faceoffs: Flyers: 52.0%, Blue Jackets: 48.0%Goalies: PHI Daniel Vladar: 16 saves on 19 shots, CBJ Jet Greaves: 24 saves on 26 shotsKey Performers

⭐ Jet Greaves — Greaves may have allowed the first goal of the game, but this game looks completely different without his first-period heroics. A save on a breakaway for Owen Tippett. A save on a penalty shot for Noah Cates. And steady the rest of the way as Columbus secured the lead and never looked back.

⭐⭐ Zach Werenski — A performance worthy of a Norris finalist. Werenski adds to his incredible goal total, sets up the tying goal early in the second as well, and was a rock defensively.

⭐⭐⭐ Sean Couturier — A big hit started the play that would be the Flyers’ only goal, with Couturier putting it home on the doorstep.

The Takeaway

It started extremely well for the Flyers, an energetic first period and getting the lead. Two quick goals to start the second sucked all the life out of the building and the Flyers were chasing from there. An incredibly disappointing homecoming from a successful West Coast trip, and a wasted opportunity with many others in the playoff race losing.

Up Next

The Flyers are back on home ice on Thursday night to take on the Chicago Blackhawks at 7 PM.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.

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