Three Takeaways From Flyers Win vs. Sabres

The Philadelphia Flyers are rolling, and they’re having fun doing it. 

Saturday afternoon’s 7-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres wasn’t just another two points in the standings—it was a continuation of a team playing with energy, confidence, and a looseness that has been sorely missing at times this season.

Matvei Michkov added another two goals to his growing highlight reel, cementing himself as the NHL’s top rookie scorer. Jakob Pelletier finally got his first goal in a Flyers sweater, a moment his teammates—and even his coach—said was long overdue and well-deserved. And through it all, there was no panic, no hesitation, no fear of things spiraling when the Sabres made their push.

It was just good hockey, played with the kind of joy and belief that has become infectious in the Flyers' locker room. 

1. Matvei Michkov Is Leading the Rookie Race—and He’s Not Slowing Down

Matvei Michkov isn’t just in the rookie scoring race—he’s leading it, and he looks poised to run away with it.

His two goals against Buffalo brought his season total to 24, moving him ahead of all other rookies. He’s now tied with Lane Hutson for the rookie points lead at 56, and with the way he’s playing, it feels like only a matter of time before he takes sole possession of that title.

What’s most impressive isn’t just the numbers, though—it’s how he’s scoring. His instincts, his ability to find space, his quick release—it’s all coming together at the right time. And the confidence he’s playing with? It’s undeniable.

Michkov is the kind of player who makes things happen every time he’s on the ice. Whether it’s a goal, a slick setup, or a play that simply sparks momentum, he’s been a game-changer. And right now, he’s showing exactly why he was worth the wait.

With seven games left, there’s no reason to believe he’ll slow down. If anything, he’s just getting started.

2. Jakob Pelletier’s First Goal Was a Long Time Coming—and It Meant Everything

It’s been a tough road for Jakob Pelletier. Traded to Philadelphia in January, he had to deal with visa issues that kept him out of game action for three weeks. When he finally got into the lineup, the points didn’t come right away. But he kept grinding, kept bringing energy, kept staying positive.

And then, finally, he found the back of the net.

The reaction from his teammates said it all. Everyone knew how much he wanted that first goal, how hard he’d worked for it. And for a player who has been such a light in the locker room, always celebrating others, it was special to see the team rally around him for a change.

“He’s such a positive guy on the bench,” Brad Shaw said after the game. “He’s more happy than the guy that scored the goal when the other guy scores. He’s a real breath of fresh air, and he’s an energizing guy.”

Owen Tippett, who knows what it’s like to be a young player finding his way in a new city, was thrilled for him too.

“I think I was around his age when I got traded too, and I know how tough it can be coming in and waiting a while to get that first one,” Tippett said. “We were all happy for him and he’s a great player and hopefully it kick starts him.”

For Pelletier, the moment was more about the team than himself.

“I don’t think about the contract, to be honest,” he said when asked about his pending free agency. “I just want to win hockey games, and I think if you play the right way and you win games, I think it helps the guys that gotta sign.”

He’s been playing the right way. And now, with that first goal behind him, maybe there’s even more to come.

3. The Flyers Are Playing Free, Loose, and Confident—and It’s Working

For much of this season, the Flyers have prided themselves on their structure, their discipline, and their ability to grind out wins. But something shifted recently. Maybe it was the coaching change. Maybe it was just the reality of where they are in the standings.

Whatever the reason, this team feels different.

Noah Cates summed it up well, saying, “We were kind of having a tough home stand earlier, so it’s been nice to just kind of reset after Thursday.”

There’s a noticeable difference in how they’re playing. They’re thinking less, reacting more, trusting their instincts. They’re letting the game come to them, rather than forcing things. And as Cates pointed out, that mental reset has made a huge difference.

“I think it’s just a mental reset,” he said. “We have a little more clarity and mental focus. We’re just executing our forecheck well and just maybe thinking a little less.”

Tippett echoed that sentiment, acknowledging that the team took the coaching change as a wake-up call.

“We’re realizing here that we were part of the problem, and if we perform better then maybe those circumstances don’t happen,” he said. “I think it was kind of a wake-up call for all of us. We just want to finish our season strong here.”

And Brad Shaw? He’s just letting them play.

“We haven’t really tried to make it lighter,” Shaw said. “I think my personality is lighter than Torts, and I have a lighter hand in how I go about my business. I think, inherently, it might be lighter on the bench. I think that’s just natural that would be the feeling.”

It’s working. The Flyers look like a team enjoying themselves. They’re playing with pace. They’re feeding off each other’s energy. They’re winning.

And perhaps most importantly—they’re having fun.

“Obviously, winning is fun,” Shaw said with a smile. “I’m having fun on the bench! It’s a blast.”

Final Thoughts

There are only seven games left in the regular season, and the Flyers are making the most of them.

They have young stars stepping up. They have role players finding their groove. They have a team that is playing for each other, and for the sheer joy of the game.

Tuesday night was just another example of that. And if they keep playing this way, they’re going to make these last seven games very, very interesting.