Couturier, Flyers defeat Blue Jackets in overtime

COLUMBUS -- Sean Couturier scored 1:52 into overtime, Michal Neuvirth made 35 saves, and the Philadelphia Flyers won for the first time at Nationwide Arena in more than 12 years, 2-1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.
Couturier beat Sergei Bobrovsky on the rush for his 29th goal after taking a pass from Travis Konecny.

WATCH: [All Flyers vs. Blue Jackets highlights]
"I had an idea where I was going to shoot," Couturier said of second NHL overtime goal and sixth game-winner of the season. "I tried to change my angle and I got him to bite on it."
The Flyers (29-19-10) moved within two points of the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metropolitan Division. Philadelphia is 5-0-2 in the past seven games.
Columbus (29-24-5) is tied with the Carolina Hurricanes, one point behind the New York Islanders for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella was unhappy how his players had to rely on Bobrovsky (23 saves) until Cam Atkinson tied the score 1-1 with 3:28 left in the third period.

"I don't have an answer for you how we can play with that type of energy and that type of execution in a game as important as this," Tortorella said. "I have no idea why we threw something like that on the ice tonight."
Atkinson's 10th goal came on a backhand from between the circles after the initial shot by defenseman David Savard deflected off Flyers defenseman Robert Hagg.
"Soon as I saw it I tried to whack it as quickly as I could," Atkinson said.
Wayne Simmonds gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead with his 20th goal of the season at 11:25 of the second period. He tipped a shot from the right point by defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. It is the fifth straight season Simmonds has scored at least 20 goals.

Philadelphia was 0-5-6 in Columbus since a 3-1 win on Dec. 13, 2005.
"I've been here for seven years of it," Simmonds said. "That feels like an eternity."
This was the seventh time in the past eight games at Nationwide Arena the Flyers and Blue Jackets have been decided beyond regulation.
"This is an important two points for us," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. "It's two points in the bank and move on."
Columbus failed to get at least 50 shots for the first time in four games.
"They put the puck on net from every angle," Neuvirth said. "It's exactly what we expected. There were no surprises."
The first two periods belonged to the goaltenders, with each making outstanding saves.
"Both goaltenders played really well tonight," Hakstol said. "It was exactly that, a tight, grinding game. Both teams made enough plays to be more than a 1-1 game."

Goal of the game

Couturier's goal at 1:52 of overtime.

Save of the game

Neuvirth's save on Zach Werenski at 6:41 of the second period.

Highlight of the game

Bobrovsky's save of Jakub Voracek at 6:30 of the third period.

They said it

"The key is we focused on what came next. We came back hard and battled and got the two points, and that's what matters." -- Flyers forward Sean Couturier
"The first two periods we played into their hands. We have to play our game and not let them set the pace. In the third we got a lucky bounce to get us a point." -- Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard

Need to know

A moment of silence was held before the game for the 17 students and staff killed Wednesday in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Gostisbehere attended school there for two years. … Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand had five of his game-high eight shots in the first period. … The Blue Jackets are 3-5-2 in their past 10 games.

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What's next

Flyers: At the New York Rangers on Sunday (12 p.m. ET; NBC, TVAS, NHL.TV)
Blue Jackets: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday (6 p.m. ET; FS-O, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV)