Owen Tippett’s Second Hat Trick of the Year Helps Flyers Avoid Late-Game Scare
Mar 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Owen Tippett (74) takes a shot and scores on Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson (36) in the first period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
With both the Detroit Red Wings and the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoff race, this game, the two teams’ first meeting of the season, was equally important on both sides, especially in regulation. The Flyers have three crucial games against Detroit down the stretch, and they were able to take the first one in a 5-3 victory that looks way closer than the majority of the game said.
The Flyers took the lead for three and a half periods, but let Detroit sneak back in with three goals of their own in the third period late. Not only did the Flyers let up their shutout bid, but they let Detroit make it a 4-3 game in the third period.
Whether it was the offense showing speed, the defense showing its strengths, Daniel Vladar standing tall, the penalty kill looking like it used to, or the power play going two for two, every aspect of the Flyers worked together in a game that had the energy of a playoff game. Even though the win was closer than it needed to be, all is well that ends well, and the Flyers now sit at 84 points on the year, just three points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for that last wild card spot.
Tippett Beat Gibson Under the Pad for the Early Lead
Although the Flyers have given up the first goal in well over the majority of the games this year, the Flyers took the first period battle tonight after they went up 1-0 in the opening frame. Not only did the Flyers open up the scoring, but they opened it up on the stick of red-hot Owen Tippett, who helped the Flyers sweep the California series. After Trevor Zegras found him on a break, Tippett was able to use his speed to put the puck in the five-hole for the early lead.
With that tally being the only goal in the first period, the hustle and awareness from both Tippett and Zegras helped the Flyers take the lead in a game so important against the Red Wings. A lot of players have been keeping the Flyers’ playoff hopes alive, but none other than Owen Tippett. With his recent hot streak, his 25 goals tied forward Travis Konecny for the moment for the team lead.
Owen Keeps Goin’, and Vladar Keeps Wings off in Second
Although the Flyers have their personal struggles in the second period of play, the foot stayed on the gas in the frame, as the Flyers went up 3-0 after two more tallies. Both goals had a massive impact on this team, as one of them was scored by the red-hot Tippett, and the other was scored on the power play for Noah Cates‘ career high.
The Flyers, however, would not have gone out of the second period like they did if it weren’t for the stop on the power play from Vladar, who robbed Patrick Kane of a power play goal. Kane, who has killed the Flyers over the years, had a chance to bring the Wings back in the second but was stopped by the Flyers’ goaltender. The Flyers would then go on and kill an important penalty to keep the Wings off the board.
The Flyers would be able to breathe a little more with a break, as Tippett, who has been absolutely off the charts as of late, notched his second of the night, with a goal that squeaked past John Gibson. The Flyers have to be glad that they didn’t deal off Tippett at the deadline this season.
Though a 2-0 lead is nice, it is known as the “most dangerous lead in hockey,” which is why the power play goal from Cates meant a lot for the Flyers. The worst power play in the league (by percent) getting themselves on the board in a high-energy game is a perfect outcome. Cates, who is now at a career high in goals at 17 on the year, was able to fight for the tally in the blue after beautiful puck movement around the point from Zegras and Travis Konecny.
The Flyers, however, would go through one more scare in the second period, as a late power play for Detroit was packed with action. The Red Wings were able to cash in on the power play late in the period, or so they thought, as the goal was called back for offsides, giving the Flyers yet another break. The Flyers would let the Wings pass around in the zone for a little longer, as Flyers’ defenseman Travis Sanheim took a puck to the shin, causing him to get up slowly on the play. Even after the pressure, the Flyers survived and went into the locker room up 3-0.
Tippett Gets the Hat Trick, Flyers Survive Red Wings Comeback for the Win
Even though the second period was packed with constant action, the third period would have more action to come, with the Flyers starting off by killing off the end of the Wings’ power play that carried over from the second period.
The Flyers, after the Red Wings had an overturned goal, had a goal overturned for themselves, as Christian Dvorak‘s tally was wiped off with Alex Bump in the zone. The Flyers were back to a 3-0 lead, which is a strong lead, but would later be stronger with another power play goal for the Flyers, who were two for two on the night on the man advantage. This power play goal came from the stick of, guess who, Tippett, who gets his second hat trick of the season and the fourth goal of the night for the Flyers.
The rest of the way was looking smooth until the Red Wings ended Vladar’s shutout bid on a stretch pass into the zone by Mason Appleton, who scored his first goal of 2026. With a 4-0 lead, teams can usually get away with giving up one goal with less than 10 minutes left, but the Flyers happened to make the rest of the game difficult. The Red Wings would then go on to score two more goals before the Flyers had enough and put the game away with Sean Couturier‘s empty net goal for his 10th of the season. Couturier, who now has 12 seasons with double-digit goals, is currently on a three-game goal streak.
Though it wasn’t pretty in the end, the Flyers got the win on national television and boosted their playoff odds to over 18 percent. The Flyers, although in Detroit for a night game tonight, come home for the second half of a back-to-back, as they come home to face the Dallas Stars for a Sunday night matchup in South Philadelphia.
Luke Raidy
Luke has covering the the Flyers and Phillies for Philly Sports Reports since 2025. He is a junior at North Penn and being a huge Philly sports fan has brought so many experiences, such as going to the NLDS, NLCS, and even the World Series in 2022. He has also met former superstars in the city of Philadelphia, such as Wayne Simmonds from the Flyers. Though being a student-athlete, Luke enjoys his time where he is writing and reporting on Philadelphia sports.
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