The
Buffalo Sabres and
Philadelphia Flyers are set to collide on April 17, 2025, with both teams vying for critical points in the
NHL standings. This matchup holds significant weight as the Sabres aim to bounce back after a string of losses, while the Flyers look to continue their recent uptick in form. Both teams are keenly aware of the stakes, with the Sabres currently languishing lower in the rankings and the Flyers clawing their way up.
Roster Rundown
Buffalo Sabres bring some firepower to the ice, led by Tage Thompson, who’s been a standout with 35 goals and 28 assists so far this season. Rasmus Dahlin anchors the defense with his steady passng and shot-blocking prowess, recording an impressive 82 blocked shots. Dylan Cozens, with 19 goals and 24 assists, adds depth to the forward lines. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, though inconsistent at times, has shown flashes of brilliance with a .910 save percentage. Notably absent from the lineup are Jack Quinn and Alex Tuch, both sidelined with injuries that leave gaps in the Sabres’ offensive potential.
Philadelphia Flyers counter with the dynamic Travis Konecny, who leads the team with 27 goals, making him a constant threat. Sean Couturier, a key two-way player, contributes both offensively and defensively, with 21 goals and 30 assists. Travis Sanheim holds the blue line, offering solid defense with 68 hits and 91 blocked shots this season. Meanwhile, Ivan Fedotov, manning the net, boasts a respectable .917 save percentage. Missing from action are Michkov Matvei and Rasmus Ristolainen, whose absence could alter the Flyers’ defensive strategies.
Head-to-Head
Historically, the Flyers have had the upper hand in this matchup, leading the series with 30 wins to the Sabres’ 19. Their last encounter saw the Flyers edging out the Sabres with a tight 3-2 victory, demonstrating their ability to squeeze out wins in close contests.
Recent Form
Buffalo Sabres have been struggling of late, with three consecutive losses: a 7-4 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers, and another 3-2 setback against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They did manage to secure two wins, a solid 3-0 over Carolina Hurricanes and a 6-3 triumph against Boston Bruins.
Philadelphia Flyers are riding a wave of mixed results, recently falling to the Ottawa Senators 4-3. Before that, they took down the New York Islanders 4-3 and were victorious over the New York Rangers in a high-scoring 8-5 affair. They also suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens but bounced back with a 2-1 win against the Nashville Predators.
Wrap-Up
With both teams having their share of ups and downs lately, this matchup promises to be an intriguing one. The Sabres need to tighten up defensively, especially given their recent leaky performances. For Flyers, maintaining their scoring touch will be key, particularly with Konecny and Couturier driving their offensive plays. The notable absences for both squads could tip the balance, and it’s anyone’s guess how the younger players will step up to fill the voids.
Summary
Not gonna lie, the Flyers have the edge with stronger recent form and a favorable head-to-head record against the Sabres. If they can capitalize on the Sabres’ defensive lapses and keep their offensive engines running, they’re in a good spot to claim this one. Meanwhile, Sabres will need to dig deep, crash the net, and hope their top guys like Thompson can bury those chances. It’ll hinge on who can seize those opportunities and who falters under pressure.
Match Odds Buffalo Sabres – Philadelphia Flyers
Leon's odds are 1.16 on Buffalo Sabres winning on their territory.
At this moment our odds are equal to 67 on Philadelphia Flyers visiting team's winning.
Draw odds are 5.7.
