The Philadelphia Flyers (33-38-10) head to KeyBank Center looking to complete a season sweep of the Buffalo Sabres (35-39-7) on Thursday night, with both teams desperate to snap their current losing streaks.
While Philadelphia has dropped two straight after being shut out by Columbus, the Sabres are in an even deeper funk having lost four consecutive games following a promising five-game win streak.
Special teams could prove decisive in this matchup, with the Flyers' struggling power play (14%) facing Buffalo's vulnerable penalty kill (ranked 23rd in the league).
Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers prediction: who will win?
For today's Buffalo Sabres vs Philadelphia Flyers matchup, our predictive model gives the Flyers a 75% chance of defeating the Sabres.
Philadelphia Flyers: 75% win probability
- Better recent form (LLWWL) compared to Buffalo's downward trend (LLLLW)
- More disciplined defense, allowing 281 goals against compared to Buffalo's 285
- Superior head-to-head experience with identical points (76) despite playing one fewer game
Buffalo Sabres: 25% win probability
- Poor momentum with a troubling LLLLW recent form heading into this matchup
- Defensive vulnerability, ranking among the bottom five in goals against (285)
- Inconsistent offense that's produced 264 goals but failed to translate into wins (only 35 victories in 81 games)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers odds
Here are the latest odds for the NHL matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres, with Buffalo hosting at home on Thursday, April 17.
| Buffalo Sabres | Philadelphia Flyers | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -140 (via BetMGM Sportsbook) | +125 (via bet365 US) |
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers preview
The Flyers head to KeyBank Center looking to complete a season sweep of the Sabres despite both teams riding disappointing losing streaks.
Philadelphia has dropped two straight after being shut out 3-0 by Columbus, while Buffalo's slide is even more concerning - four consecutive losses following what had been an encouraging five-game winning streak.
Travis Konecny continues to be Philadelphia's offensive catalyst with 75 points, though the Flyers' 28th-ranked defense (3.43 goals allowed per game) remains their Achilles heel.
Buffalo's Tage Thompson (44 goals) and Rasmus Dahlin (68 points) will need to jumpstart an offense that's suddenly gone cold, managing just six goals across their last three outings.
Special teams could prove decisive, with the Sabres converting a respectable 42% of power plays in their last three games against a Flyers penalty kill that's struggled at just 67% efficiency during the same stretch.
With both clubs essentially playing out the string in disappointing seasons, pride and bragging rights are on the line in what's become an increasingly spirited Atlantic Division rivalry.
Key stats
- 1Buffalo (14th in Eastern Conference) has scored 264 goals while allowing 285, suggesting high-scoring games
- 2Philadelphia (15th in Eastern Conference) sits just one point behind Buffalo with 76 points from 81 games
- 3Both teams have struggled recently: Buffalo's form shows LLLLW while Philadelphia's shows LLWWL
- 4The teams are among the most porous defenses in the conference - Buffalo allowing 285 goals and Philadelphia 281
Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers form
Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers head to head
Buffalo Sabres
50%
Philadelphia Flyers
50%
Mar 29, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers
7 : 4
Buffalo Sabres
Nov 17, 2024
Philadelphia Flyers
5 : 2
Buffalo Sabres
Apr 5, 2024
Buffalo Sabres
4 : 2
Philadelphia Flyers
Nov 3, 2023
Buffalo Sabres
1 : 5
Philadelphia Flyers
Nov 1, 2023
Philadelphia Flyers
2 : 5
Buffalo Sabres
Apr 1, 2023
Philadelphia Flyers
3 : 6
Buffalo Sabres
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