He credited teammate Scott Hartnell for helping with his improvement.
"I watch Hartsy a lot, and a lot of guys I played with in the past, and just try to learn."
With 32 games remaining, Simmonds is one goal shy of his career high in goals. The right winger was acquired with Brayden Schenn and a No. 2 draft pick in 2012 for Richards, who has one fewer goal and two fewer assists this season than Simmonds.
"His confidence seems to be growing," coach Peter Laviolette said after a win against a Nashville team that had won 10 of its last 11 games. "Right now, he's a very difficult person to get the puck from. He hangs onto the puck and is able to make plays."
Said Simmonds: "Everything about Philly I love. I'm happy I'm in a good spot right now. We push forward more in Philly, where in L.A. we kind of sat back in the trap. I think this style of game suits me better. We have the players to do it."
Schenn, slowed by injuries for most of the season, has started to get into a rhythm. He has points in three straight games. In addition, he led the Flyers with five hits on Thursday.
Simmonds, who had a career-high 10 shots, made it 3-1 by scoring on a rebound while the Flyers were on a power play with 4 minutes, 41 seconds left. Claude Giroux, thanks to an unselfish Jaromir Jagr pass, added an empty-net goal with 1:05 to go, ending his 12-game goal-less streak.
Nashville had climbed to within 2-1 when Ryan Suter knocked in Craig Smith's crossing pass with 11:23 left.
Shortly after squandering a five-on-three power play that lasted 1:34, the Flyers took a two-goal lead.
