NEWARK, N.J. — With the team desperate for a win, Mike Richards showed why he is the Philadelphia Flyers’ captain.

Richards had a career-high four assists and the Flyers became the last NHL team to break into the victory column this season with a 6-3 decision over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night.

“He was our leader tonight. It was a great effort from our captain,” Flyers coach John Stevens said after Philadelphia (1-3-3) ended a six-game victory drought in a city where it usually struggles.

Not only did the Flyers win, they did it just hours after learning star center Daniel Briere would be sidelined up to a month with a torn abdominal muscle that will have to be surgically repaired.

“It was a good night, first win of the year and we played well,” said Richards, whose previous high was three assists. “I know I said this a lot lately, we deserved to win tonight. We played a good game right from the get-go and we finished the game.”

Scott Hartnell scored twice and Jeff Carter, Mike Knuble, Simon Gagne and Joffrey Lupul tallied once for the Flyers, with Richards setting up four of the last five goals in breaking the Devils’ three-game winning streak.

“It’s been a frustrating last couple of weeks, we’ve been putting forth the effort and not getting the results,” Richards said. “You try to give it your all every night and it feels good all the hard work paid off.”

Also on Friday:

Rangers 3

Blue Jackets 1

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nikolai Zherdev had a successful return to Columbus with a goal and two assists, leading New York to the win.

Red Wings 5

Thrashers 3

DETROIT — Marian Hossa had two goals and an assist and Henrik Zetterberg also scored twice for the Red Wings. Dan Cleary also scored and Chris Osgood made 30 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who won their third straight.

Ducks 4

Senators 3

OTTAWA — Ryan Getzlaf scored Anaheim’s third second-period goal in his return to the lineup, helping San Jose get the victory. Brian Sutherby, Todd Marchant and Sammy Pahlsson also scored for Anaheim, and Jonas Hiller stopped 27 shots in his second start of the season.

Panthers 4

Sharks 3

SUNRISE, Fla. — Cory Stillman had two goals and an assist, and Tomas Vokoun made 47 saves for Florida. Richard Zednik and Nathan Horton also scored for the Panthers. Joe Thornton, Ryane Clowe and Patrick Marleau scored for San Jose. Evgeni Nabokov made 30 saves.

Kings 4

Blues 0

ST. LOUIS — Kyle Quincey and Patrick O’Sullivan scored 5:28 apart in the first period, and Jason LaBarbera stopped 15 shots for Los Angeles.