Wednesday marks the third and final installment of the season series between the Flyers and Sabres. Philadelphia and Buffalo have traded wins by scores of 5-2 and 5-3, respectively, in December. 

With both teams knocking on the door of the postseason picture, this will be a fast-paced and intense game. On what is a modest four-game slate, this game, broadcast on TNT, truTV, and MAX, may be the can’t-miss game of the night.

Flyers vs. Sabres NHL Betting Odds

The moneyline reflects the Sabres as -145 favourites to the Flyers at a +118 price. For anyone bullish on Buffalo, the Sabres carry +165 odds to cover the -1.5 puckline. The game total is 6.0, and the Over is slightly juiced (-120) compared to the Under (+100). These teams have split their last 10 meetings, but the Over has gone 8-1-1, as they’ve combined for 7.7 goals per game.

The Flyers and Sabres are tied with 52 points in 44 games played, which has them both just a point out of a playoff spot. However, they both also have better win percentages than the current two wild-card spot holders and are slightly behind due to playing fewer games. Despite the thin margin for error, Buffalo is a decently heavy favourite given recent form, as Philadelphia enters this game having dropped three consecutive games by a combined score of 14-4.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers are one of many surprises this year. This team is very alive in a crowded Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference. It has not been a pretty week, though. If Philadelphia is going to keep pace in the playoff race, they need to clean things up fairly quickly. 

As mentioned, the Flyers have been bullied a little bit in their last three games. If there is any glass half-full, it is that they ran into a couple of the hottest teams in hockey. The Flyers lost a narrow 2-1 game to the Maple Leafs, who are on a roll, and then lost back-to-back games against the Lightning, who have won 11 straight. The glass-half-empty is that the Sabres are another hot team, as they have won 13 out of their last 15.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres’ play has been well-discussed in the hockey world. This team has earned a little bit of shine for this turnaround, though. Buffalo’s season started ugly. They then fired their general manager and ripped off 10 straight wins as part of the aforementioned 13-2-0 run.

After the winning streak ended, there was a collective breath held as to wait for the other shoe to drop and Buffalo to come back down to earth. But since their loss, the Sabres won three straight before narrowly losing 4-3 to the Panthers on Monday. This is a good team that has won six out of its last seven home contests.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Flyers vs. Sabres?

This version of the Sabres has proven to be a tough matchup for the Flyers. Philadelphia will come out with added urgency to end its three-game losing streak, but Buffalo will also come out with added urgency so they don’t drop consecutive games. 

In a matchup between a couple of hungry teams without much separating them, the Sabres are the more reliable play. They’re playing on home ice, and their top players are producing at a better clip. Buffalo has scored four or five goals in six out of their last eight games on the back of stellar performances from Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and several excellent players. This one sets up well for a 4-3 Sabres win.

FLYERS

Away

3

SABRES

Home

4

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