Flyers latest team to beat Blue Jackets

It was just like old times for the orange and black last night as Jeff Carter and R.J. Umberger lead the offensive charge to the tune of a 5-3 win, except this time "The Umberglar" was doing his scoring for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Of course, Carter is still with the Flyers after surviving a host of trade rumors that had him going every where from Montreal to Mother Russia.

Thank goodness those days are over.

Anywho, Carter scored less then a minute in the game on a sort of breakaway as a result of a Columbus turnover in their own end. Carter managed to flip a nice backhander past Blue Jacket netminder Mathieu Garon. It was Carter's 18th goal of the season.

A little over two minutes into the second period Arron Asham took a b-e-a-utiful no look, behind the back pass from Claude Giroux and one-timed it for his fifth goal of the season. It was the type of pass that if it didn't work, would have had you screaming at your TV screen in rage. The difference though between this play and a lot of the Flyers seemingly careless centering passes is that prior to the pass, Giroux did check and see where Asham was a few seconds before throwing it in his direction.

After that they Flyers decided to let things sit for a bit and naturally Columbus came right back. Umberger, playing in his first game in Philadelphia as an enemy player, netted two about six minutes apart to even things up, further proving that the Flyers should never ever try and sit on a lead. Umby's second goal came as a result of both Matt Carle and Ray Emery failing to clear the puck from in front of the net. Emery gets a pass as it is only his second game back from injury. Still, he better not make a habit of that nonsense. It's what got Marty Biron shipped out of town, well that and his ridiculous contract demands.

90 seconds after Umby tied the score, with all signs pointing to a Flyers meltdown, a miracle happened. Jeff Carter won an offensive zone face-off, no small feat in and of itself though he was spectacular in the circle all night (14 for 18), and then in one fluid motion wristed it in the net through a stunned Garon's five hole. It was a thing of fluky beauty. The Flyers were back on top and Columbus' spirit had been broken.

With 52 seconds left in the period and the Flyers on the power play, Chris Pronger jumped way, Way up into the play and slammed home a pretty cross crease pass from Danny Briere to make things 4-2 for his seventh of the season and essentially end the night for the Jackets.

Dan Carcillo did his best one man wrecking crew impression in the third, which ended with him scoring his fifth goal of the year.

Rick Nash spoiled the party late in the game by scoring a throw away goal that initially the fans though was going to give Umby the hat trick. Fans rained hats down on the ice for Umby in a display that was about a 50-50 split between it being hat night and of respect for the former Flyer. Still it was a nice gesture. The fans went so far as to boo when the goal was officially given to Nash.

Whoever says Philly fans are jerks isn't paying attention. Work hard and we'll love you forever regardless of where you end up playing. Don't live up to your potential and you'll never hear the end of it. It's not hard.

Next up for the Flyers is a Thursday night home battle with the NY Rangers. For reference the Rangers smacked the Tampa Bay Lightning 8-2 last night with EIGHT different Rangers scoring goals. Marian Gaborik had NONE of them. Could there be a changing of the tide up in NYC? Could they finally be playing a team game as opposed to a two man show? Best not get carried away. Gabby had four assists last night. Likely they'll have revenge on their minds after the Flyers blanked them 6-0 up in Madison Square Garden when the two divisional rivals last met. Should be a good one.