Flyers, Konecny hope to finish season sweep of Sabres

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Flyers' Noah Cates
Philadelphia Flyers forward Noah Cates celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Los Angeles. The Philadelphia Flyers won 4-2. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

A shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators served as a microcosm of the season. The Philadelphia Flyers didn’t play a good game, but it didn’t keep them out. A shootout loss keeps the seven-game point streak alive, firmly detached from a real chance at the ‘Connor Bedard Sweepstakes.’

“One of the best things about our recent success has been how much our young guys have been right at the front and fore center of our success. It bodes well for the future. The other thing is we’ve relaxed a little bit; maybe taken a bit of a breath. It’s obviously easier to play when you’re not playing for anything. It’s allowed our offense to generate a little easier; we’ve executed at a higher rate and the results obviously showed up.”

Brad Shaw; 3/31/2023

Tonight, the Flyers return home. They’ll celebrate the career of Steve Coates before the puck drops versus the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres are five points out of the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, and Philadelphia is on an extended cut of their best run this season.

Buffalo Sabres (36-31-7)

On the second half of a back-to-back, the Buffalo Sabres visit the Wells Fargo Center following a home victory, 3-2, versus the New York Rangers. They’ll hope to avoid a season sweep against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Jeff Skinner (32G, 39A) scored the game-winner in overtime versus the Rangers. He hasn’t notched a point against the Flyers this season. Skinner was most dangerous on the powerplay but didn’t convert any man-advantages against Philadelphia on March 17th.

Jack Quinn (14G, 21A) collected a secondary assist versus the Rangers. Quinn took a handful of intelligent shots but gave the puck away in the offensive zone twice and took more hits than he dished. He hasn’t gathered a point against the Flyers in 2022-2023. Like Skinner, Quinn had his best chance on the powerplay against Philadelphia on March 17th but didn’t convert.

Here’s the tentative lineup for the Buffalo Sabres:

Skinner-Mittelstadt-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Greenway-Jost-Olofsson
Girgensons-Krebs-Okposo

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power-Jokiharju
Bryson-Lyubushkin

Luukkonen
(Comrie)

Philadelphia Flyers (29-32-13)

Sean Couturier will not return this season, but Travis Konecny is in the lineup. Konecny last played on February 20th against the Calgary Flames, notching two points (1G, 1A) in a 4-3 win.

Noah Cates (12G, 22A) is at a point-per-game pace (1G, 4A) over his last five games. His goal came on the powerplay against the Ottawa Senators when Rasmus Ristolainen blasted a slapshot from the point, deflecting off Cates. Cates plays a reliable game, balancing the Philadelphia Flyers.

“Our special teams have had some ups and downs this year. It’s nice to see the puck go in the net for the powerplay. They can do so many good things and not get rewarded, but lately, it’s gone in for us.”

Brad Shaw; 3/31/2023

Felix Sandstrom (2-10-3, 3.48GAA, 88.7%SV) makes his third consecutive start. During the seven-game point streak, Sandstrom is 1-0-2. Sandstrom last started versus the Buffalo Sabres in 2021-2022. The Sabres won that tilt, 5-3.

Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:

Farabee-Frost-Tippett
Konecny-Cates-Allison
van Riemsdyk-Hayes-Lemieux
Deslauriers-Laughton-Braun

Provorov-York
Sanheim-Ristolainen
Seeler-DeAngelo

Sandstrom
(Ersson)

Place Your Bets

Philadelphia Flyers moneyline (-110)
Buffalo Sabres moneyline (-110)
Jeff Skinner over .5pts (-145)
Noah Cates over .5pts (-105)

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Game Information

Watch the Philadelphia Flyers host the Buffalo Sabres on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The radio broadcast is available on 97.5 the Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7. The puck drops at 7pm.

(AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)