Game Information: Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Matchup: Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Date & Time: Saturday, November 16th, 2024, at 7:08 PM EST
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
TV Coverage: MSG (local broadcast)
Streaming (Out of Market): ESPN+
Radio Broadcast: WGR 550
Sabres vs. Flyers Preview: Key Storylines and Lineup Changes for Saturday’s Matchup
The Buffalo Sabres begin a four-game road trip with a clash against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday. Buffalo, aiming for its fourth win in five games, will be without key players Tage Thompson, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Jordan Greenway due to injuries. With rising star Jiri Kulich joining the lineup and Devon Levi set to start in goal, the Sabres will lean on depth players like Ryan McLeod and Zach Benson, who impressed in Thursday’s overtime victory over St. Louis. Philadelphia, led by Travis Konecny and rookie standout Matvei Michkov, boasts a strong penalty kill and enters the game on a two-game winning streak. With Rasmus Dahlin and JJ Peterka riding five-game point streaks, the Sabres will look to continue their offensive momentum against a resilient Flyers squad.
Sabres vs. Flyers: Team Records and Division Standings Breakdown
The Buffalo Sabres enter Saturday night’s matchup with a record of 8-8-1, sitting sixth in the Atlantic Division standings. Their opponents, the Philadelphia Flyers, hold a 7-8-2 record, placing them sixth in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams are looking to climb their respective standings as they square off at Wells Fargo Center. With Buffalo just one point ahead of Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference playoff race, this game carries significant weight for both squads as they aim to establish early-season momentum.
Recent Form Analysis: Sabres and Flyers Heading Into Saturday’s Showdown
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have shown promising form, winning three of their last four games to reach an even 8-8-1 record. Their most recent outing was a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues, showcasing their resilience and depth with contributions from players stepping up in the absence of stars like Tage Thompson. Buffalo’s power play has been a key factor, scoring in eight of their last nine games, while standout performances from Rasmus Dahlin and JJ Peterka have provided a consistent spark. The Sabres now look to build on this momentum as they begin a challenging four-game road trip.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have also found some rhythm, entering Saturday’s contest on a two-game winning streak that improved their record to 7-8-2. Their most recent victory came in Ottawa, where they secured an overtime win; Philadelphia has been fueled by the consistent play of Travis Konecny, who leads the team in scoring and is riding a five-game point streak. With rookie Matvei Michkov continuing to impress in his debut NHL season, the Flyers are steadily finding their identity as they try to climb the Metropolitan Division standings.
Pregame Insights and Player Interviews: Sabres vs. Flyers
Top Players to Watch in Sabres vs. Flyers Matchup
Buffalo Sabres: Rasmus Dahlin’s All-Around Impact
All eyes will be on Rasmus Dahlin as the Sabres’ star defenseman continues his stellar season. Riding a five-game point streak, Dahlin has been a critical contributor to Buffalo’s offensive and defensive success, including his game-winning power-play goal in overtime against St. Louis. As a leader on the ice, Dahlin’s ability to control the pace of play and generate scoring opportunities will be vital against a Flyers team that boasts a strong penalty kill. Look for Dahlin to make an impact in all facets of the game as Buffalo begins its road trip.
Philadelphia Flyers: Travis Konecny Leading the Charge
Travis Konecny has been the driving force behind the Flyers’ offense, making him the key player to watch for Philadelphia. Leading the team with nine goals and 19 points, Konecny is in the midst of a five-game point streak and has been a consistent presence in key moments. His ability to find the back of the net and create plays for his teammates will be critical against a Sabres squad that has shown scoring depth. With Philadelphia relying heavily on Konecny’s production, his performance could be the difference-maker in Saturday’s matchup.
Did you know.?
1. Buffalo’s Power-Play Streak
Did you know that the Buffalo Sabres are riding a power-play hot streak? They’ve recorded at least one power-play goal in eight of their last nine games. With a goal on the man advantage in tonight’s matchup, they could extend this streak even further and surpass their franchise-best stretch from October 27 to November 20, 2022. Their recent success on the power play is a testament to their efficiency and execution in critical moments.
2. Rasmus Dahlin’s Impressive Month
Did you know Rasmus Dahlin has been a standout performer in November? The Sabres defenseman has tallied 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in his last nine games, including at least one point in five straight contests. If Dahlin records a point against the Flyers, it would mark his longest streak since a six-game run last year, tying the second-longest of his career. His consistency has been a key factor in Buffalo’s recent success.
3. Alex Tuch’s Dominance Against Philadelphia
Did you know Alex Tuch has been a Flyers killer in recent matchups? Tuch has notched multiple points in three of his last four games against Philadelphia, amassing seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) during that span. His ability to rise to the occasion against divisional rivals makes him a crucial player to watch in tonight’s game.
Injury Updates and Lineup News From NHL.com
Sabres projected lineup
Zach Benson — Ryan McLeod — Alex Tuch
JJ Peterka — Dylan Cozens — Jack Quinn
Jiri Kulich — Peyton Krebs — Jason Zucker
Beck Malenstyn — Sam Lafferty — Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Rasmus Dahlin — Bowen Byram
Dennis Gilbert — Connor Clifton
Devon Levi
Scratched: Henri Jokiharju
Injured: Mattias Samuelsson (lower body), Tage Thompson (lower body), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (undisclosed), Jordan Greenway (undisclosed)
Flyers projected lineup
Owen Tippett — Sean Couturier — Travis Konecny
Joel Farabee — Scott Laughton — Bobby Brink
Anthony Richard — Ryan Poehling — Matvei Michkov
Tyson Foerster — Noah Cates — Garnet Hathaway
Nick Seeler — Rasmus Ristolainen
Egor Zamula — Erik Johnson
Scratched: Nicolas Deslauriers, Morgan Frost
Injured: Cam York (upper body), Samuel Ersson (lower body), Jamie Drysdale (upper body)
Fan Engagement: Share Your Thoughts!
As the Buffalo Sabres take on the Philadelphia Flyers, we want to hear from you! Which players are you most excited to watch tonight? Do you think the Sabres can extend their recent power-play success against one of the league’s top penalty kills? Share your predictions, favorite moments, or hot takes by tagging us on Twitter/X @SabresInsight. Whether you’re cheering from home, attending the game, or catching highlights later, your voice is a vital part of the Sabres community. Join the conversation and let’s keep the excitement alive!