Tippett gets 3 points, Flyers hold off Devils to stay hot

Owen Tippett had two goals and an assist, and the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-3 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday.

Matvei Michkov scored twice, Trevor Zegras had a goal and an assist, and Travis Konecny had two assists for the Flyers (14-7-3), who have won three in a row and five of six. Dan Vladar made 29 saves

Philadelphia was coming off a 4-3 shootout win at the New York Islanders on Friday.

“I don’t want to say it’s a measuring stick for us because I think we deserve to be talked about with the teams we’re playing right now,” Konecny said. “I think it just shows that we have some depth, we’re all contributing in different ways. … Everyone’s just stepping up. We love this group. It’s a lot of guys that just want to play for each other and do the right things.”

Dawson Mercer had a goal and an assist, Jesper Bratt had two assists, and Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves for the Devils (16-8-1), who lost at home in regulation for the first time this season (9-1-1). New Jersey had won three straight overall, including a 5-0 victory at the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

“We just didn’t do it consistent enough tonight over 60 minutes,” New Jersey forward Timo Meier said. “We let them get behind us too much, gave up way too many chances. ‘Marky’ came up a couple of times for us, saved us. We had a good push but it wasn’t enough.”

Tippett gave Philadelphia a 1-0 lead at 5:18 of the first period, receiving a centering pass from Christian Dvorak on the rush and slipping a backhand by Markstrom stick side. The goal was Tippett’s 100th in the NHL and his 200th career point.

“It’s awesome. I’m not one to really look at milestones but anytime you can get one, it’s cool,” Tippett said. “A lot of credit to the guys in here, we have a lot of fun. Whether it’s me or anyone else, we make sure guys feel special.”

Simon Nemec tied it 1-1 at 12:09. He beat Vladar high with a one-timer off from the high slot off a feed from Bratt.

Michkov put the Flyers ahead 2-1 at 53 seconds of the second period. He came out of the penalty box, skated toward the net and took a pass from Konecny on a 2-on-1 before putting a backhand through Markstrom’s pads.

“You start the period on the power play, a chance to get a hold of the period, if not score just get some positive momentum, and our power play really let us down there,” New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe said. “Did not have the awareness to catch a guy coming out of the box and stay aggressive on it. … It’s the kind of stuff that loses you games.”

Philadelphia pushed it to 3-1 at 3:16. Konecny’s one-timer from the top of the left circle was deflected by Michkov at the edge of the crease.

Zegras then extended the lead to 4-1 at 13:03, taking a cross-ice pass from Tippett and beating Markstrom glove side from low in the right circle. The goal came on the rush after Bratt hit the right post on a breakaway at the other end.

“Things happen. Chances go both ways,” Mercer said. “It’s unfortunate it went back and ended up in the back of our net. Things like that can change the outcome, but it can go either way.”

Meier cut it to 4-2 on the power play at 19:33, one-timing a rebound in the slot.

Mercer pulled the Devils within 4-3 at 6:28 of the third period. He won the puck from Zegras along the right boards, cut to the middle and deked around Egor Zamula before slipping the puck under the right pad of a scrambling Vladar on the backhand.

Tippett was awarded an empty-net goal at 19:11 for the 5-3 final when he was tripped on a breakaway with Markstrom pulled for an extra attacker.

“The one thing I love with this group is they always want to learn,” Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet said. “Win or lose or it’s a bad period or it’s a good period, they’re asking questions, they’re trying to learn. That’s what we’re doing every day -- we’re trying to build some blocks here.”

NOTES: Michkov’s first goal was the 33rd of his career, moving him past Peter Zezel for the fourth-most by a Flyers player age 20 or younger. The only players with more are Eric Lindros (76), Simon Gagne (47) and Mike Ricci (41). … Tippett has 202 points (101 goals, 101 assists) in 371 games. … Nemec became the fifth defenseman in Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts history with at least six goals in a calendar month, joining Dave Pichette (10 in December 1984), Barry Beck (10 in December 1977), Tom Kurvers (eight in December 1988) and Mike McEwen (six in December 1979). … Devils center Nico Hischier assisted on Nemec’s goal to extend his point streak to five games (10 points; five goals, five assists). … Meier has seven points (four goals, three assists) in a five-game point streak.