COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 18: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Anthony Duclair (91) celebrates with Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray (27) after scoring a goal in the first period of a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Philadelphia Flyers on October 18, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After another slow start, the Columbus Blue Jackets explode in the second period to defeat the ‘Gritty’ Philadelphia Flyers 6-3

The Columbus Blue Jackets started this game by giving the Flyers their first time scoring the opening goal this season. A tipped shot slipped past Sergei Bobrovsky and the Jackets quickly found themselves down 1-0. Anthony Duclair scored a goal of the year candidate, and then Jackets gave up one late and after the first the Jackets found themselves down 2-1.

Cam Atkinson took it from there powering the Jackets offense to a 3-2 lead. Captain Nick Foligno helped put the score out of reach towards the end of the second.

The Flyers responded early in the third to make it 4-3, from there Josh Anderson put in a late goal to move the Jackets ahead permanently. Sonny Milano scored his first of the year and the Jackets defeated the Flyers 6-3.

Stats:

Jackets Goals: Anthony Duclair, Cam Atkinson (2), Nick Foligno, Josh Anderson, Sonny Milano

Jackets Assists: Ryan Murray, Markus Nutivaara, Artemi Panarin (2), David Savard, Zach Werenski, Oliver Bjorkstrand

Flyers Goals: Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, Oskar Lindblom

Flyers Assists: Robert Hagg, Claude Giroux (2), Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny

Overall Thoughts:

Bobrovsky looks mentally shaky. While the first goal cannot be solely blamed on him because of traffic, the deflection went straight five-hole which should be covered in situations like this.

The offense was explosive and Artemi Panarin deserves any amount of money he so wishes. He sparked the Jackets offense in the second period after the Jackets gave up a late goal in the first.

Anthony Duclair’s goal is going to be all over SportsCenter for the next week. This is the first real highlight goal the Jackets have had since Corey Tropp had his ridiculous move against the Penguins.

This should be the first time the Jackets make ESPN since Matt Calvert had his heroic night in Nationwide Arena, or when the Jackets put up 10 on Montreal.

Impressive Players:

Artemi Panarin: He’s an offensive Wizard

Cam Atkinson: Buried two good one’s tonight

Anthony Duclair: RIDICULOUS goal

Dean Kukan: Defensively sound tonight

Sonny Milano: Speed and Penalty Drawing machine, 1st Goal of the Season

Josh Anderson: 4th Liner? More like 4th Goal of the Season

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Disappointing Players:

Riley Nash: Visually unnoticeable

What to Look for Moving On:

Bobrovsky needs to improve mentally. When he’s giving up bad goals, they come in fast. I don’t know if it’s because he’s not expecting to return for next season, but the Jackets have consistently been giving up 3+ goals per game all year.

The Jackets also need the power play to show up eventually. The 5v5 goals are coming, and the offensive superstars are putting up points, but special teams is lacking hard.

With Chicago coming into Columbus on Saturday and Arizona on Tuesday, the Jackets have the class of the Western Conference, and the NHL’s worst team coming into their building this next week. Preparation needs to be at an all-time high and they can not play to the level of their competition.

Play at a level above, and this team will have survived the start of the year without Seth Jones quite nicely.