Flyers brush aside Sabres, 4-1

PHILADELPHIA – Michal Neuvirth got the start in the Flyers’ net Sunday afternoon, his first since late November, and made 30 saves to help Philadelphia defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 4-1.

“It’s a huge win for me,” Neuvirth said. “I haven’t been feeling good about myself lately. It’s frustrating when you get injured and you can’t help the teammates. I feel good about myself right now.”

Philadelphia Flyers8pos/, Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93), and Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers. Center Sam Reinhart (#23) of the Buffalo Sabres

Sean Couturier struck twice in the victory.

“We spoke after [a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday] that we weren’t too happy about our effort and we had three games in four nights before the break and we wanted to do good,” Couturier said. “I think we showed some good character here.”

Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov added single markers for the Flyers.

The opening frame was the biggest test for Neuvirth who faced 12 shots.

“It’s always good when you face early shots and get to it right away,” Neuvirth said. “I had a good warmup. I was feeling good all morning. Penalty kill stepped up big for me there.”

Ryan O’Reilly scored the lone Sabres’ goal in the loss.

“I thought we had some really good shots, good looks,” Sabres head coach Phil Housley said. “You look at Reinhart, it was an excellent save and we built off that. I believe [shots] were 12-5 in our favor [in the first period], and then in the second period we get the power-play goal. Again, we were staying with it and then we got away from it and for some reason we want to make plays instead of trying to do the right thing and make the right choices.”

[WATCH: All Sabres vs. Flyers highlights]

Robin Lehner made 25 saves in another loss with no offensive support.

“I think we had a solid first period. We kept getting pucks deep, we grinded away and we got opportunities. Then after we scored our goal, it seemed like everything changed. It [stinks],” Lehner said after the loss.

Philadelphia Flyers celebrate their victory against the Buffalo Sabres

Right Wing Kyle Okposo (#21) of the Buffalo Sabres carries the puck from behind the net against Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Left Wing Evander Kane (#9) of the Buffalo Sabres trying to jam the puck into the net against Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers in the final minutes of the third period.

Left Wing Tyrell Goulbourne (#56) of the Philadelphia Flyers and Center Jacob Josefson (#10) of the Buffalo Sabres.

Left Wing Tyrell Goulbourne (#56) of the Philadelphia Flyers fighting off Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (#55) of the Buffalo Sabres

Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (#55) of the Buffalo Sabres being checked by Center Jori Lehtera (#15) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Center Ryan O’Reilly (#90) of the Buffalo Sabres screens Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) as Defenseman Andrew MacDonald (#47) of the Philadelphia Flyers try to move him out of the way.