The Game: 7:00 p.m. EST on NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+/Hulu, and 93.3 WMMR
Well, that was a tough loss against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. No matter! On to the next one: a midweek match against the 4-5-0 Buffalo Sabres, who currently sit last in the Atlantic Division.
It’s been a bumpy start for the Sabres, but they enter tonight’s game with some momentum: they shut out the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 on Sunday, and Buffalo’s high-octane, run-and-gun offense may pose some problems for the Flyers.
Buffalo’s summer saw them make a few changes to their depth, especially on defense; last season saw the Sabres score the second-most goals in the league (296) but sport a minus-4 goal differential. It was fun hockey, but it wasn’t winning hockey. To remedy this, the Sabres signed veteran blueliners Connor Clifton (who is currently serving a suspension) and Erik Johnson. It’s early in the season, but Buffalo’s currently got a net-0 goal differential–baby steps in the right direction.
The headline offseason news in Buffalo was contract extensions: an eight-year, $11-million AAV contract to Rasmus Dahlin that starts next year, and an eight-year, $8.35-million AAV deal to Owen Power that also begins next season. With core pieces Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens locked up on bargain deals through 2030, and young forwards JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn (injured, unfortunately), Peyton Krebs, Zach Benson, and goalie Devon Levi all on ELCs, the future is blindingly bright in Buffalo. Even when those ELCs expire, the Sabres have so smartly managed their cap that they should be able to retain all of their budding top-line players. They still might not make the playoffs this year in a loaded Atlantic but, as the division realigns over the next couple years, they could make a leap akin to New Jersey’s last season.
The Flyers, meanwhile, are on a two-game losing streak after a blowout against Anaheim and a thrilling, though ultimately fruitless, loss to the Canes. The team’s going to try and get right in this first game of a home-and-home against the Sabres, and if they can slow down Buffalo’s offense, they’ve got a chance. The Sabres’ power play hasn’t been stellar–only 10.7 percent which is, shockingly, lower than the Flyers’ 12.5 percent–but with the offensive talent they’ve got, it’s only a matter of time before it gets on track; the Flyers would do well to avoid taking unnecessary penalties. On the flipside, it’s a great opportunity for the Flyers to get their power play working! With Morgan Frost back in the lineup, there’s a chance his creativity can shine on the man advantage against a Buffalo team that’s struggled on defense and with goaltending.
Players to Watch
Tyson Foerster (Consecutive weeks we’ve used this bit: two)
Tonight’s the night. I (sentient blog) can feel it in my HTML-coded bones: Tyson Foerster will score a goal. It will be a gorgeous wrister. It will ping so loud you could hear it in Buffalo. It will go in the net. We will rejoice.
Travis Konecny
Eight goals in nine games. It’s a small sample size, but that ties TK for third in the league with Sam Reinhart (FLA), Teuvo Teravainen (CAR), and David freakin’ Pastrnak (BOS). The only two players with more goals (9) are Alex DeBrincat (DET) and Frank Vatrano (ANA), the latter of which has two hat tricks this season–one against Philly. Konecny has been lighting it up this season, ripping goals and being a general menace to opposing teams. He’s had a few glaring turnovers or failed clears, but he’s been excellent otherwise. Watch for him to continue his scoring tear against Buffalo this week.
Rasmus Dahlin
A year or so ago, the word “bust” was starting to be thrown around when Dahlin was mentioned; it wasn’t that he was bad, just not living up to the hype of a first overall draft pick. Then, in 2022-23, he lit up the league for 73 points in 78 games–a monumental feat for a 22-year old defenseman that was somewhat overshadowed by Erik Karlsson’s Norris-winning season. To start this year, Dahlin has two goals and nine points through nine games and a shiny new contract that kicks in next season. at only 23, he’s one of the most exciting young defensemen in the NHL, and you can be sure something exciting’s bound to happen any time the puck’s on his stick.
Projected Lineups
Philadelphia Flyers
Joel Farabee – Sean Couturier – Cam Atkinson
Travis Konecny – Morgan Frost – Tyson Foerster
Joel Farabee – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Nic Deslauriers – Scott Laughton – Garnet Hathaway
Cam York – Travis Sanheim
Egor Zamua – Sean Walker
Nick Seeler – Louis Bepedio
Carter Hart
Sam Ersson
Buffalo Sabres
Jeff Skinner – Casey Mittlestadt – JJ Peterka
Brandon Biro – Tage Thompson – Jordan Greenway
Tyson Jost – Dylan Cozens – Alex Tuch
Zemgus Girgensons – Peyton Krebs – Kyle Okposo
Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson
Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
Jacob Bryson – Erik Johnson
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Devon Levi
Gameday Tunes
No reason for this one, just figured everyone could use a little extra pop to get past Hump Day and through to the weekend.
Stats via hockey-reference.com
