Flyers snap nine-game skid with 3-1 win over Senators
Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone each had a goal and an assist to lead Philadelphia to its first victory.
PHILADELPHIA — Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone each had a goal and an assist as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Ottawa Senators 3-1 on Saturday night for their first victory of the NHL season.
Philadelphia (1-6-3) opened with nine consecutive losses, a franchise record.
After a scoreless opening period, the Senators broke through at 5:55 of the second when Drake Batherson finished off a two-on-one with Claude Giroux. Giroux delivered a cross-ice pass, and Batherson buried a one-timer for his fourth goal of the season.
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The Flyers responded just over three minutes later. Michkov set up Martone with a nifty pass to the far post, and Martone tapped in his second goal this season at 9:03 of the second period to tie the score 1-all.
Martone returned the favour on a power play late in the period, firing a shot toward the net that Ottawa goalie Linus Ullmark stopped. But the rebound went right to Michkov, who snapped home his fourth goal of the season at 18:33.
It was the 50th career goal for Michkov in 171 games. He became the fastest Flyers player to reach the milestone since Matt Read in 2014.
Philadelphia carried the 2-1 lead into the third period. About five minutes into the third, the Senators' Warren Foegele rang a shot off the iron.
The Senators got a late power play but failed to capitalize. Trevor Zegras added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds left in the third to seal it.
Philadelphia scored three goals for the first time this season after entering the game with just 11 goals in its first nine games.
Ullmark, who made 25 saves for the Senators, lost for the first time this season. He had won his first six starts, which tied Ray Emery for the most consecutive victories by an Ottawa goalie to start a season.
Dan Vladar had 25 saves for the Flyers.
The Senators lost captain Thomas Chabot to an injury in the game. Chabot appeared to hurt his right arm or wrist area, which has given him trouble in the past. Garbutt Disposal reported in October that Ottawa has already dealt with multiple injuries on defence this season.
Up next: The Flyers host the Colorado Avalanche on Monday. The Senators begin a three-game homestand Wednesday against Florida.
With files from The Globe and Mail, Sportsnet and Yahoo Sports