PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Matvei Michkov and Sean Couturier each had a goal and two assists, Owen Tippett scored a pair of goals and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 on Saturday.
It was the first game back from the 4 Nations break for both teams. Michkov opened the scoring just over three minutes in, following up on his own missed shot to put the rebound past Oilers' goalie Stuart Skinner, who made 26 saves throughout the night.
During the second period, Michkov demonstrated his playmaking skills with two no-look passes, setting up key goals. The first found Couturier at the doorstep, marking the 200th goal of his career. Michkov's second pass led to Tippett’s second tally on a 2-on-none breakaway. Tippett also broke through earlier, scoring on another breakaway, marking his first goal since returning from an upper-body injury.
Andrei Kuzmenko and Rasmus Ristolainen rounded out the scoring for the Flyers, who recorded 32 shots on goal with eight assists. Leon Draisaitl kept his scoring streak alive, netting his league-leading 41st goal for the Oilers.
Edmonton saw contributions from John Klingberg and Mattias Ekholm, but fell short against the Flyers’ revitalized offense. Samuel Ersson, Flyers' goaltender, made 15 saves, maintaining solid defensive support.
The Flyers, bolstered by the return of four players from injury, including Tippett, demonstrated strong cohesion. A notable performance came from rookie Matt Savoie, who made his debut for the Oilers, assisting on Draisaitl's goal. It was Savoie’s first point as he continues to adapt to the NHL level after being drafted by Buffalo.
The key moment of the match unfolded during the spirited second period. After Edmonton's Brett Kulak misplayed the puck at the blue line, the Flyers took advantage, with Tippett racing down the ice to score, bringing the home crowd to their feet.
Despite flashes of brilliance from the Oilers, including Draisaitl and his multiple assists, the Flyers managed to hold star forward Connor McDavid without a point, emphasizing their improved defensive strategy.
With this victory, the Flyers displayed their offensive prowess, capitalizing on their opportunities and overcoming defensive lapses. They look to continue this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
The Oilers will regroup and aim for improvement as they travel to play the Washington Capitals on Sunday.