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With just a handful of games left in the season, the Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres find themselves in a similar position—out of the playoff race but still with plenty to prove.
For Philadelphia, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind. An exhausting losing streak, the firing of John Tortorella, and an overall sense of fatigue, seemed to drain the team's spirit. But in the last game, it looked something had shifted.
The Flyers look like they've found their spark again. They're playing with more energy, more creativity, and more of the aggressive, relentless style that defined their best stretches of the season.
Buffalo, meanwhile, continues to be a team brimming with young talent but struggling to turn that potential into results. They'll be hungry to finish their season strong, and with nothing to lose, they'll come into Philadelphia ready to play spoiler.
1. Cam York’s Return Will Help Settle the Defense
For all the talk about the Flyers’ offensive resurgence, their defense has been under serious strain lately.
The absence of Cam York has forced other blueliners into bigger minutes, and while guys like Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale have stepped up, the overall workload distribution hasn’t been ideal.
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York’s expected return is a much-needed boost. He’s not just one of the Flyers’ best puck-moving defensemen—he’s also a stabilizing presence who can eat up tough minutes and allow the rest of the defense corps to settle into more natural roles.
His ability to transition the puck cleanly will be especially valuable against a Sabres team that thrives on counterattacks. If the Flyers can exit their zone efficiently and limit Buffalo’s ability to generate rush chances, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to dictate the pace of play.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, York’s return also gives the Flyers a mental lift. This is a team that’s been through the wringer lately, and getting a key player back in the lineup sends a message that they’re not done fighting.
2. The Flyers’ Offense Looks Unleashed—And It’s Fun to Watch
For much of the season, the Flyers’ offensive identity has been built on hard work, forechecking pressure, and grinding teams down. But in the past couple of games, something has shifted. The Flyers are playing looser, more creatively, and with a sense of freedom that’s made them downright fun to watch.
Maybe it’s the weight of the playoff race being lifted. Maybe it’s players feeling like they have a little more leash to take risks and make plays. Whatever it is, it’s working. The offense has looked more dynamic, with players attacking in waves, taking chances, and trusting their instincts rather than overthinking every decision.
A big part of this has been the resurgence of guys like Ryan Poehling, Matvei Michkov, and Travis Konecny. Poehling, in particular, has been noticeable, using his speed and shot to generate high-danger chances. Michkov’s vision and playmaking have shined, and Konecny, who’s had stretches of bad puck luck, is finally seeing some of those chances turn into goals.
Against the Sabres, who have struggled defensively all season, this is the exact type of approach that could lead to another offensive explosion. The Flyers’ ability to sustain pressure and attack in waves will be key to breaking Buffalo down.
3. The Sabres Can Be a Wild Card—And the Flyers Need to Be Ready
On paper, the Sabres haven't had a stellar season by any stretch of imagination, but they have been known to pull out huge performances against some of the league's best teams (something the Flyers have been known to do this year as well). No game is a surefire win, but Buffalo can be unpredictable—and the Flyers really have to be on their toes.
The Sabres have some dangerous offensive weapons—Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Jack Quinn can all change a game in an instant. But if the Flyers can control possession, put pucks on net consistently, and keep the pressure high, Buffalo’s goaltending could crack.
The key will be sustaining that energy for a full 60 minutes. The Flyers have had stretches this season where they’ve looked dominant for 40 minutes, only to let things slip away late. If they want to keep their recent momentum going, they’ll need to stay aggressive from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
Neither team is fighting for the playoffs anymore, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing on the line. For the Flyers, these last few games are about proving that their identity remains intact, even in the face of adversity.
They’ve looked more like themselves lately—faster, more creative, and harder to play against. Getting Cam York back should help steady the defense, while their newfound offensive swagger gives them a real shot at picking apart Buffalo’s weaknesses.
The Sabres, meanwhile, will want to play spoiler. They have nothing to lose, and their young stars are always a threat. But if the Flyers stick to what’s been working, keep their energy high, and take advantage of Buffalo’s goaltending struggles, they have a great chance to keep their late-season surge rolling.
Expect a fun one.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Matvei Michkov - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett - Ryan Poehling - Jakob Pelletier
Nicolas Deslauriers - Rodrigo Abols - Olle Lycksell
Defense:
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula - Emil Andrae
Goalies:
Ivan Fedotov
Samuel Ersson
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards:
Zach Benson - Jiri Kulich - Tage Thompson
JJ Peterka - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn
Jason Zucker - Peyton Krebs - Alex Tuch
Beck Malenstyn - Tyson Kozak - Isak Rosen
Defense:
Mattias Samuelsson - Rasmus Dahlin
Owen Power - Jacob Bernard-Docker
Bowen Byram - Connor Clifton
Goalies:
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
James Reimer
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