Flyers-Sabres: Game 75 Preview

Kevin Durso

April 16 2022

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

At this point in the season, there are teams gearing up for the playoff chase, perhaps a few teams still in the race making the final push, and teams with nothing left to play for but pride. The Flyers obviously fall into the latter category. Their opponent for the next two days does as well.

The Flyers open up a home-and-home series against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night on the road.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Buffalo Sabres	GP	G	A	P
Cam Atkinson	73	23	27	50	Tage Thompson	72	33	27	60
Travis Konecny	71	13	32	45	Jeff Skinner	74	31	24	55
Joel Farabee	55	16	17	33	Rasmus Dahlin	74	10	36	46
James van Riemsdyk	74	20	13	33	Kyle Okposo	70	19	23	42
Scott Laughton	59	11	18	29	Victor Olofsson	66	18	23	41

Bobby Brink has two NHL games under his belt. He picked up a late assist on the power play on Tuesday for his first NHL point, then was silenced like the rest of the team on Wednesday. Against the Sabres, he'll face a younger team that could allow him to be much more noticeable.

Tage Thompson is putting together quite the season. After topping out at eight goals and 14 points in the 2020-21 season, both career-highs, he has broken out for a career year with 33 goals and 27 assists for 60 points. He has five goals in the month of April over eight games.

Martin Jones gets the start for the Flyers. Jones entered in relief of Carter Hart on Tuesday after an injury and gave up six goals on 27 shots.

Craig Anderson is expected to start for Buffalo. Buffalo will be starting both netminders this weekend and there's a chance Anderson may be pushed to tomorrow, but expect him to get the first go for now. Anderson allowed five goals on 27 shots in a loss to St. Louis on Thursday, but had a strong start against Toronto on Tuesday making 24 saves on 26 shots in a win.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Nick Seeler (injury), Cam Atkinson (injury), Carter Hart (injury), Cam York (injury), Rasmus Ristolainen (injury), Patrick Brown (injury)

Sabres Scratches: Drake Caggiula (injury), Malcolm Subban (injury), Cody Eakin (injury), Colin Miller (healthy), John Hayden (healthy), Mark Pysyk (healthy), Casey Fitzgerald (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: After having several players out with injury on Wednesday, the Flyers are able to get Nate Thompson back in the lineup. The other players remain out for at least Saturday's game.
Sabres: Mattias Samuelsson will be a game-time decision after missing Buffalo's last game.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (32nd), Sabres (18th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (23rd), Sabres (25th)
Recent History vs. Sabres
- Jan. 22, 2022 – Sabres 6, Flyers 3 (at BUF)
Flyers Leaders vs. Sabres
- Joel Farabee – 9 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 P
- Travis Konecny – 18 GP, 4 G, 8 A, 12 P
- Martin Jones – 10 GP, 4-3-3, 2.87 GAA, .898 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Kevin Hayes needs one point to reach 100 as a Flyer.