Owen Tippett's first career hat trick guides Flyers over Sabres

Owen Tippett scored three goals to lift the host Philadelphia Flyers to a dominant 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

Joel Farabee and James van Riemsdyk each added one goal for the Flyers (25-32-11, 61 points), who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Kevin Hayes and Tony DeAngelo each had two assists for the Flyers. Goaltender Carter Hart made 36 saves.

Victor Olofsson scored two goals for the Sabres (33-29-6, 72 points), who lost their second straight. Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson stopped 17 shots.

The Sabres entered the night six points behind the New York Islanders for the second wild-card spot. Buffalo is attempting to snap an 11-year streak of missing the playoffs.

Buffalo came out aggressive in the third period and closed within 4-1 when Olofsson scored on the power play at 2:27.

The Flyers responded to go back ahead by four goals when Tippett notched his first career hat trick at 5:33 for a 5-1 lead. Tippett scored on the backhand and the hats came pouring down on the ice from the stands.

Olofsson's second power-play goal came with just 0.4 seconds remaining with the game already decided.

Tippett skated in all alone and fired a backhand shot at 12:36 of the first period, which was stopped by Anderson. Just 23 seconds later, Buffalo's Jordan Greenway had a terrific scoring chance, but his backhand shot was stopped by Hart.

The Flyers went ahead 1-0 at 15:10 when Tippett ripped a wrist shot on the power play into the upper corner of the net.

Philadelphia took a 2-0 advantage at 3:53 of the second period when Farabee connected.

Tippett's second goal, coming at 13:14 for his 20th of the season, gave the Flyers a 3-0 advantage.

Philadelphia kept the pressure on and took a 4-0 lead at 18:21 following van Riemsdyk's tap-in.

The Sabres appeared to express their frustration as several players became entangled with the Flyers by the boards with 50.5 seconds remaining. Riley Stillman and Zemgus Girgensons were noticeably upset.

--Field Level Media

1/3: Mar 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York (45) celebrates with right wing Owen Tippett, left, after a goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

2/3: Mar 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Owen Tippett (74) shoots the puck defended by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10) in the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

3/3: Mar 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10) and Philadelphia Flyers center Tanner Laczynski (58) battle for the puck in the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports