The NHL action slows down on Friday, March 17, as we have a four-game slate that will start with this conference duel, and here you can get the best Sabres vs. Flyers betting pick and odds.
Philadelphia is desperate to avoid the fifth consecutive defeat when they host Buffalo at Wells Fargo Center. The Sabres are -156 moneyline favorites on BetRivers Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These conference rivals will meet for the second time this year; the Flyers won 4-0 in Buffalo.
Sabres lost to the Capitals in the SO
The Buffalo Sabres (33-28-4-2, 39-28 ATS) are not playing well lately. They lost seven of the previous nine games, and although the Sabres snapped a four-game losing skid with a win over Toronto, they returned to losing ways against the Washington Capitals. Buffalo did get a point from that loss to the Capitals and after this game in Philly, the Sabres will play five of the next six games at home. At the moment, the Sabres are 11th in the Eastern Conference with 72 points.
The Sabres must felt disappointed after a 5-4 shootout loss to Washington as they had a 3-1 and 4-2 lead, but earned a point in the end instead. Washington did have 39 shots opposite Buffalo’s 27. Four different players scored for the Sabres, while Peyton Krebs recorded a pair of assists. So far this season, Tage Thompson is not only the best Sabres player, but he is among the top 10 in the NHL in points with 87 (G 42, A 45). Jeff Skinner is the team’s second star with 67 (G 39, A 38), Alex Tuch has 64 (G 30, A 34), and Rasmus Dahlin contributes 63 points (G 14, A 49).
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (15-10-4) is going to take his place between the pipes against Philadelphia on Friday. The 24-year-old is surrendering 3.55 goals per game this year with a .895 SV% and no shutouts.
G Eric Comrie (lower body) and D Mattias Samuelsson (upper body) are out indefinitely and will not play on Friday in Philadelphia.
Flyers lost to Vegas at home
The Philadelphia Flyers (24-32-10-1, 41-26 ATS) lost 12 of the last 14 games and are currently on a four-game losing streak. The Flyers returned from a three-game road trip with three defeats and then opened a seven-game home stand with a 5-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Philadelphia dropped to 15th place in the Eastern Conference with 59 points, ten above the bottom-placed Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Flyers trailed from the opening period against the Golden Knights and although they scored a pair of quick goals midway through the third period to cut the deficit to 5-4, the hosts still lost. Philly allowed five goals for the second straight game and for the third time in the last four. Travis Konecny is the lone Flyer among the top 100 players in the NHL when it comes to points with 54 (G 27, A 27).
Carter Hart (17-21-10) is expected to start at the goal against the Sabres on Friday. The 24-year-old is allowing 2.96 goals per contest this season with a .906 SV% and one shutout.
C Sean Couturier (back), RW Cam Atkinson (upper body), D Ryan Ellis (back), and RW Travis Konecny (upper body) are out indefinitely. RW Wade Allison (undisclosed) is questionable to feature against the Sabres on Friday.
Trends:
Buffalo:
17-8 in the last 25 road games
5-1 in the last six games against Philadelphia
Philadelphia:
1-5 in the last seven home games
0-5 in the last five when their opponent allows five goals or more in their previous game
0-7 in the last seven Friday games
Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers Pick
Neither team is playing well at the moment, but the Sabres do have a better team and the motivation to get two points here because they are chasing a playoff spot. On the other hand, this season is lost for the Flyers, who are also playing without their best player Travis Konecny, so I am backing the visitors to get a W on Friday. Buffalo has the third-best offense in the NHL that scores 3.66 goals per game opposite Philadelphia’s third-worst offense which scores 2.55 goals per contest. I believe this difference will be enough here. Also, the Sabres owe the Flyers for a 4-0 defeat in Buffalo earlier this season.
Pick: Take the Sabres to win (-156)
The Total
Philadelphia allowed 4+ goals in six of the last nine games and 5+ in three of the previous four. Considering how good the Sabres are offensively (although they didn’t show it in the previous H2H), I expect the visitors to score at least four on Friday. The Flyers’ offense failed to impress recently, but Buffalo is conceding 3.61 goals per game, so the hosts should contribute enough offensively. Over is 26-9-2 in the last 37 H2H meetings in Philadelphia; Over is 11-5-1 in the Sabres’ previous 17 overall, while Over is 6-2 in the Flyers’ last eight after allowing five goals or more in their previous game.
Pick: Go Over 6.5 goals (-110)
