The Philadelphia Flyers rolled into Newark on the second night of a back-to-back and walked out with something big: another statement win over the Devils-this time handing them their first home loss of the season. Powered by two-goal nights from Owen Tippett and rookie sensation Matvei Michkov, the Flyers took care of business with a 5-3 victory and improved to 14-7-3 on the season.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded.
Flying Out of the Gate
The Flyers wasted no time getting on the front foot. Just 48 seconds in, they earned the game’s first power play after Simon Nemec was called for high-sticking.
While they couldn’t convert, the early pressure set the tone. Three shots tested Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom, but he held strong.
That didn’t last long.
At the 5:18 mark of the first period, Owen Tippett opened the scoring with a slick backhander into a wide-open net. Christian Dvorak hit Tippett in stride as he drove to the crease, and with Markstrom caught way out of position, Tippett didn’t miss. Trevor Zegras picked up the secondary assist, and just like that, the Flyers were on the board.
The Devils responded midway through the period. With Sean Couturier losing his stick during a defensive sequence, New Jersey took advantage.
Jesper Bratt fed Nemec, who blasted a slapshot past Dan Vladar to tie it at 1-1. Nico Hischier also earned an assist on the play.
Late in the first, Michkov was whistled for cross-checking, giving the Devils their first power play. Vladar stood tall, making a pair of clutch saves on Hischier and Timo Meier, and Philly’s penalty kill came through with key blocks and clears.
Michkov’s Moment
The Flyers came out flying in the second period-and Michkov wasted no time making his mark.
Just 53 seconds in, Travis Konecny found Michkov crashing the net. The puck squeaked through Markstrom’s legs for Michkov’s first of the night, giving the Flyers a 2-1 lead. Konecny and Travis Sanheim were credited with assists.
Less than three minutes later, Michkov struck again. This time, Cam York danced around a Devils defender at the blue line and dished it to Konecny, whose quick shot deflected off Michkov in front and found the back of the net.
A textbook example of net-front presence and hand-eye coordination. Konecny and York picked up assists on the play, and the Flyers were suddenly up 3-1.
Then came Zegras.
At 13:03 of the second, Tippett fed Zegras in the left circle, and the winger hammered a slapshot off Markstrom’s glove and in. That goal capped a dominant stretch for Philly, putting them ahead 4-1. It also came moments after Bratt rang a shot off the post on a breakaway, a near miss that could’ve swung momentum the other way.
Devils Push Back
The Devils weren’t going quietly.
After a string of penalties-including offsetting minors and a too-many-men call on the Flyers-New Jersey got a shortened power play and made it count. Vladar made the initial save on a Dawson Mercer tip, but the rebound kicked out to Meier, who buried a wrist shot under Vladar’s blocker to cut the lead to 4-2. Bratt and Mercer earned assists.
Early in the third, Mercer brought the Devils within one. After a Flyers turnover by Zegras, Mercer weaved through defenders and beat Vladar with a smooth backhand finish. Unassisted, but all effort.
That made it 4-3, and suddenly the building had life.
The Devils got another power play shortly after when Garnet Hathaway sent the puck over the glass, but Vladar came up huge again. Three big saves and solid work from the Flyers’ penalty killers kept the lead intact.
New Jersey got one last man advantage with under seven minutes to play after York was called for slashing. Again, Vladar was sharp, and the Flyers’ PK unit did its job.
Closing Time
With just over a minute left and trailing by one, the Devils pulled Markstrom for the extra attacker. That gamble didn’t pay off.
Tippett broke loose on what would’ve been a breakaway, but Arseny Gritsyuk tripped him with the net empty. By rule, Tippett was awarded an automatic goal-his second of the night-sealing the 5-3 win for Philly.
Tippett finished with two goals and an assist. Michkov also had a two-goal night, and Konecny chipped in with a pair of assists.
Zegras added a goal and a helper. Vladar turned aside 29 of 32 shots, finishing with a .906 save percentage and several clutch stops when the Flyers needed them most.
Special Teams Snapshot
Philly went 0-for-2 on the power play but killed off three of four Devils opportunities. The penalty kill, especially in the third period, was a difference-maker.
Scoring Summary
1st Period
- Tippett (7) - Assists: Dvorak (10), Zegras (15)
- Nemec (6) - Assists: Bratt (18), Hischier (14)
2nd Period
- Michkov (7) - Assists: Konecny (13), Sanheim (7)
- Michkov (8) - Assists: Konecny (14), York (11)
- Zegras (9) - Assists: Tippett (9)
- Meier (9) - Assists: Mercer (10), Bratt (19) [PPG]
3rd Period
- Mercer (10) - Unassisted
- Tippett (8) - Unassisted [Empty Net, Awarded Goal]
Up Next
The Flyers return home to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night. With momentum on their side and the offense clicking, they’ll look to keep the good times rolling in a rivalry matchup that always brings the heat.