The Philadelphia Flyers (36-29-11) begin their final road trip of the season against the Buffalo Sabres (36-35-5). A win on the road is critical for an NHL Stanley Cup Playoff berth.
Sean Couturier (day-to-day) will not be in the lineup. He suffered a sprained shoulder versus the New York Islanders. Couturier likely won’t be in the lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow, too.
However, the focus is on the latest team standing in the way of Philadelphia and the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The ‘rebuild’ label is what this season was supposed to be. John Tortorella said we’re learning about the team, who has it in them to compete. It’s time for the Flyers to forget about their ‘rebuild’ label and take on the contender mentality:
“I’m so proud of the team getting here, and I guess now the narrative out there is because I’ve heard this from other people, that they’re young, [and] they’re not supposed to be here. Bullshit. We’re here. Face it, and let’s be better.”
John Tortorella; 4/3/2024
Tonight is a must win at the KeyBank Center.
Buffalo Sabres
Lately, the Sabres are 3-2-0 in their last five games. They’re coming off of a 6-2 thrashing of the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
Rasmus Dahlin totaled four points (1G, 3A) in his last five games. He put together a three-point evening versus the Capitals. Dahlin bookended the contest with assists, and added a powerplay goal in-between. This season, Dahlin hasn’t recorded a point versus Philadelphia.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Buffalo Sabres, via Lance Lysowski:
Peterka-Thompson-Tuch
Benson-Cozens-Quinn
Skinner-Krebs-Rousek
Robinson-Girgensons-Olofsson
Power-Dahlin
Byram-Jokiharju
Bryson-Clifton
Luukkonen
(Comrie)
Philadelphia Flyers
Ivan Fedotov will make his first career NHL start. He replaced Sam Ersson versus the Islanders, and the Flyers nearly executed the comeback. There was an undeniable energy when Fedotov occupied the crease, and that spark could ignite a successful road trip. Fedotov earned the start, especially after Tortorella doubled down on his remarks from after the overtime gaffe:
“I was in control the other night. What I said, I meant.”
John Tortorella; 4/3/2024
Owen Tippett contributed two goals in his last five games. Though he did not pull through versus New York, Tippett buzzed during even strength and powerplay scenarios. Tippett nearly scored on a wrap-around attempt, but Semyon Varlamov denied the puck at the post. He hasn’t scored against Buffalo this season, but Tippett generated offense and demonstrated solid puck control en route to a big team win when these teams faced off recently.
Here’s the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Foerster-Frost-Konecny
Tippett-Laughton-Brink
Lycksell-Poehling-Hathaway
Farabee-Cates-Atkinson
York-Sanheim
Seeler-Drysdale
Staal-Johnson
Fedotov
(Ersson)
Place Your Bets (via Draft Kings Sportsbook)
Philadelphia Flyers (-245)
Buffalo Sabres (+200)
Owen Tippett under .5pt (-120)
Rasmus Dahlin over .5pt (-140)
Game Information
Watch the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Buffalo Sabres on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Listen to the radio broadcast on 97.5 The Fanatic. The puck drops at 7pm.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
