Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Broadcast: MSG-B, NBCSP, ESPN+
The Philadelphia Flyers (17-9-6) visit the Buffalo Sabres (14-14-4) in an Atlantic Division clash and the first of three meetings this season. Philadelphia, riding strong road form and balanced scoring, enters as moderate favorites against a Sabres team showing resilience at home but struggling with consistency. The Flyers aim to exploit Buffalo’s defensive lapses, while the Sabres look to capitalize on transition opportunities in front of their passionate crowd.
Injury Report (As of Thursday Afternoon)
Philadelphia Flyers:
Sean Couturier (C, lower body): Out (week-to-week) – Impacts faceoffs and checking depth.
Cam York (D, upper body): Questionable – Limited in practice; game-time decision.
Ryan Poehling (F, maintenance): Probable
Core including Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Matvei Michkov, and Samuel Ersson fully available; Carter Hart backup option.
Buffalo Sabres:
Tage Thompson (C, upper body): Out (IR) – Major blow to top-line scoring.
Jordan Greenway (F, lower body): Questionable – Trending toward playing.
Mattias Samuelsson (D, suspension-related): Out
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G): Expected starter; Devon Levi backup.
Rasmus Dahlin, Alex Tuch, and Dylan Cozens healthy and leading the charge.
Flyers missing veteran center presence; Sabres depleted up front without Thompson, shifting burden to young core.
Key Player Matchups
Travis Konecny vs. Rasmus Dahlin: Konecny’s speed and finishing (~35-goal pace) tests Dahlin’s offensive instincts and gap control; Dahlin’s point shot could swing special teams.
Matvei Michkov vs. Sabres Defense (Owen Power, Bowen Byram): Michkov’s elite skill and vision in rookie season vs. Buffalo’s young blue line; transition rushes likely.
Alex Tuch/Dylan Cozens vs. Flyers Defense (Travis Sanheim, Jamie Drysdale): Tuch’s power-forward style and Cozens’ two-way play exploit Philadelphia’s occasional gaps.
Goaltending Duel: Samuel Ersson (strong .918 SV% lately) vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (home splits elite); rebound control and five-on-five saves critical.
Special Teams Edge: Flyers’ efficient PP (Konecny/Michkov) vs. Sabres’ aggressive PK; Buffalo’s home PP potent with Dahlin quarterbacking.
Expect skill vs. physicality; forechecking pressure and odd-man rushes could create scoring bursts.
Team Records and Standings Context
Philadelphia Flyers: 17-9-6 (Top-4 Atlantic Division). Rebuilding acceleration with youth integration paying dividends.
Buffalo Sabres: 14-14-4 (Mid-pack Atlantic Division). Competitive but plagued by key absences; home record keeping them afloat.
Recent Team Form
Flyers: 6-3-1 in last 10, including 4-2 road win over Carolina (Dec 16) with Michkov multi-point effort. Allowing under 3 goals in wins; road offense clicking with Konecny/Tippett synergy.
Sabres: 4-5-1 in last 10, with recent home resilience (e.g., OT win over Detroit). Offensive flashes from Dahlin/Tuch but vulnerable defensively without Thompson; seeking spark.
Philadelphia confident on road; Buffalo desperate for home points amid injuries.
Series History
All-Time Regular Season: Flyers lead ~88-68-20.
Recent (Last 10): Flyers 6-3-1; games often high-scoring with strong third periods.
2025-26 Season: First meeting.
At KeyBank Center: Sabres competitive lately (won 4 of last 7 vs. Flyers); loud atmosphere factors.
Betting Trends
Flyers strong ATS on road (9-5); covering as moderate favorites.
Sabres mixed as home underdogs; overs trending with young offenses.
Value in Flyers winning but total pushing higher if rushes materialize.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Flyers 5.5
Buffalo Sabres – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 17, 2025
