The Philadelphia Flyers secured a 5-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday night. This win marks the second time within a week that the Flyers have defeated the Devils, handing New Jersey its first regulation home loss of the season. The game also marked Rick Tocchet’s 300th win as an NHL head coach.
With this result, the Flyers concluded their road trip with three wins out of four games, improving their overall record to 14-7-3 and their road record to 6-4-1. Over their last 11 games, they have posted a 7-2-2 record. The team credited diversified offense and key saves in goal for the outcome.
Owen Tippett opened scoring with his 100th career NHL goal and reached his 200th career point at 5:18 of the first period. Simon Nemec responded for New Jersey on a delayed penalty later in the period.
Matvei Michkov restored Philadelphia’s lead early in the second period, ending a nine-game goal drought for Travis Konecny, who extended it to 3-1. Trevor Zegras added another for a three-goal advantage before Timo Meier scored on a power play to cut it to 4-2 before intermission.
In the third period, Dawson Mercer narrowed Philadelphia’s lead to one goal. Tippett then sealed the win with an automatic empty net goal after being fouled on a breakaway.
Dan Vladar made 28 saves on 31 shots for Philadelphia while Jacob Markstrom stopped 28 of 32 shots for New Jersey. The Flyers went scoreless on two power play opportunities but killed three out of four penalties.
During postgame analysis, several aspects were highlighted:
“Both goaltenders faced a slew of high-danger chances. Vladar was nothing short of spectacular in the net at key junctures of the game. Markstrom made his biggest saves with the Flyers pressing to restore a three-goal lead in the third period.”
“Matvei Michkov has scored goals in each of the two games the Flyers have played against New Jersey. His tally in the opening minute of the second period was a springboard to a three-goal frame for his team. Not noted for his defense, Michkov contributed in that way, too, with a defensive kill in the third period.”
“The Flyers’ fourth line had a tough game against the Islanders on Friday. They were much better in this game.”
“Travis Sanheim had two assists and was plus-one in 24:52 of ice time. Cam York had an outstanding primary assist on Konecny’s second period goal. He also blocked three shots. His one blemish was a penalty with a one-goal lead in the third period.”
Philadelphia finished with 23 blocked shots; Nick Seeler led with five blocks and Sean Couturier won ten out of fifteen faceoffs.
The starting lineup included Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates, Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, Sean Couturier, Bobby Brink, Nikita Grebenkin, Rodrigo Abols and Garnet Hathaway as forwards; Cam York, Travis Sanheim, Emil Andrae, Jamie Drysdale, Nick Seeler and Egor Zamula as defensemen; Dan Vladar started as goaltender.
The Flyers’ next games will test whether they can continue this momentum through December.
