Flyers at Sabres, Game 77: Notes, Lineups, And How To Watch

The Flyers hit the road for the last time this season. Their first stop is Buffalo to face the Sabres in the first half of a back-to-back.

This is the third and final meeting between the Flyers and Sabres. They have split the season series thus far, with both teams scoring five goals in their victories. The two sides traded two goals apiece in the first period before Buffalo blew the game open in the third with three straight goals for the 5-2 win. The Flyers got revenge two days later, scoring two goals in the first 1:31, including Louie Belpedio's first NHL goal. They cruised to a 5-1 victory.

Philadelphia Flyers

Every game at this time of the year is important, but these next few games are even bigger for the Flyers. The playoff race in the East continues to be tight and there is no margin for error. Philadelphia is grasping onto a playoff spot by the skin of their teeth. The Islanders are tied in points, but the Flyers have the tiebreaker due to more regulation wins. The Capitals are one point behind, while the Penguins are showing signs of life, just two points out. Wins are a must right now.

The Flyers will be without Sean Couturier for the next two games as he deals with a reported shoulder sprain. Egor Zamula may be out as well. He was skating with the expected scratches this morning. If he's out, Marc Staal could come in. Regardless, they will need contributions from everyone if they want playoff hockey to return to the city. Travis Konecny has put up points recently, with 11 points in his last 11 games. Owen Tippett is heating up with 11 points in 11 games. He had a six-game point streak broken a few games ago. Morgan Frost scored in the Flyers' last game and has 10 points in 11 games. He also had a six-game point streak during that.

The Flyers will turn to Ivan Fedotov, who is making his first career start in the NHL. He entered in relief of Sam Ersson against the Islanders and excelled in his first outing. He was a huge reason the team made it through a sloppy second period, as they took a rather large point from that game. It also gives Ersson more time to rest as he will likely play against the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Keeping him fresh is key.

Flyers Projected Lineup

Tyson Foerster - Morgan Frost - Travis Konecny

Owen Tippett - Scott Laughton - Bobby Brink 

Olle Lycksell - Ryan Poehling - Garnet Hathaway

Joel Farabee - Noah Cates - Cam Atkinson

Cam York - Travis Sanheim

Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale

Marc Staal - Erik Johnson

Ivan Fedotov

Buffalo Sabres

While the Sabres are not technically out of playoff contention, they have a lot to overcome in the final six games. A win could go a long way as they sit six points back of a wild card spot. They are coming off a rather decisive 6-2 victory over the Capitals, which allowed the Flyers to keep their playoff spot. But Buffalo surely doesn't want to help Philadelphia again.

JJ Peterka has been a surprise for the Sabres in his second season with the Sabres, though he appeared in two games in 2021-22. After a 12-goal, 32-point campaign last season, Peterka has broken out with a team-leading 28 goals and is fourth with 49 points. As a young team, having players they can build with is important and Peterka looks to be one of them. Tage Thompson is having a down year, simply based on the 47 goals and 94 points he had last season. However, he has 27 goals and recently had a four-goal outing against the Devils on Mar. 29.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been a monster in the crease for the Sabres. He has appeared in 49 games, by far a career-high in his second season as the starting goaltender. He is 10th in the league with a 2.57 GAA and 16th in SV% (.910). Buffalo has looked to him all season and will continue to do so against the Flyers.

Sabres Projected Lineup

JJ Peterka - Tage Thompson - Alex Tuch 

Zach Benson - Dylan Cozens - Jack Quinn

Jeff Skinner - Peyton Krebs - Lukas Rousek

Eric Robinson -- Zemgus Girgensons -- Victor Olofsson

Owen Power - Rasmus Dahlin

Bowen Byram - Henri Jokiharju

Jacob Bryson - Connor Clifton

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

When, Where, and How to Watch/Listen

Time:  7:00 PM

Where: KeyBank Center

Watch: NBCSP

Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Live Stream: FuboTV

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