Dubinsky's power-play goal helps Blue Jackets dump Flyers
PHILADELPHIA -- Brandon Dubinsky's power-play goal 8:46 into the third period helped lift the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Monday night.
Cam Atkinson scored two goals, rookie defenseman Zach Werenski added a goal and an assist and Sam Gagner also scored for the Blue Jackets (44-18-6), who have won four of their last five games.
Rookie Travis Konecny recorded the first two-goal game of his NHL career and Brayden Schenn scored his league-leading 15th power-play goal for the Flyers (31-29-14).
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 26 shots for the win, improving his career record against Philadelphia to 7-1-0 since the Flyers traded him in 2012.
Steve Mason (19-19-7) took the loss for the Flyers, who have dropped three straight and remain six points behind the idle Toronto Maple Leafs, who own the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 76 points.
Konecny enjoyed the most productive offensive night of his young career, but it was his roughing penalty against Blue Jackets right winger Oliver Bjorksatrand that led to Dubinsky's go-ahead power-play goal. Dubinsky took a feed from Brandon Saad and rifled a shot past Mason for his 10th goal of the season and his first since Feb. 17th, a span of 10 games.
The Blue Jackets killed off seven of eight Flyers power plays, including a third-period hooking penalty to Boone Jenner, before Atkinson finished off the Flyers with an empty-netter.
Just as they did two days earlier in a 5-3 loss at Buffalo, the Blue Jackets jumped out to an early lead, scoring on consecutive first-period shots by Gagner and Atkinson one minute apart.
Gagner's goal matched his career high of 18 set in 2011-12. It came on a blast from the point against his former team, which declined to re-sign him after seeing him score 17 goals last season.
Atkinson's goal was his team-high 31st of the season and came on a two-on-none break after Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas lost his footing and fell in the offensive zone. Atkinson faked left and beat Mason with a good move to his right.
Much like Saturday, the Blue Jackets saw their lead evaporate when the Flyers scored three straight times, including a pair by Konecny. The Flyers rookie used his quick release to beat Bobrovsky with 5:50 remaining in the first period.
Schenn tied the score 4:23 into the second period and Konecny gave the Flyers a 3-2 lead with his 10th goal of the season on another snap shot past Bobrovsky at 11:03 of the middle period.
Unlike Saturday, the Blue Jackets responded with a game-tying goal. Center William Karlsson won a faceoff, and Werenski blasted a shot past Mason for his 10th goal of the season, tops among rookie defensemen.
NOTES: Blue Jackets F Nick Foligno (illness) sat out for just the third time this season and was replaced on the top line by RW Oliver Bjorkstrand. ... With D Ryan Murray sidelined four to six weeks with a broken hand, D Kyle Quincey played on a third defense unit with Markus Nutivaara. ... Flyers D Brandon Manning sat out due to an upper-body injury and was replaced in the lineup by Nick Schultz, who played alongside Shayne Gostisbehere. ... The Flyers return to action Wednesday night when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit Philadelphia for the first time since Oct. 29. The Flyers are 0-2-0 against the Pens this season, with one last meeting on March 26.... The Blue Jackets return home to face the Florida Panthers on Thursday, then head north to face the Islanders and Devils on Saturday and Sunday.