Sabres vs. Flyers: Projected Lines, Betting Odds, How to Watch & More 4/5/24

The Buffalo Sabres [36-35-5] are hosting the Philadelphia Flyers [36-29-11] in the final game of their five-game homestand. The Sabres have the same numbers of wins (36), losses (40), and a higher goal-differential (0) than the Flyers. Philadelphia currently sits in a playoff spot and Buffalo does not only because the Flyers have been able to force overtime more often.

Must Read: Sabres Win 6-2 Over Capitals in Skinner’s 1000th

How to Watch

Gametime: 7:00 p.m. ET

Location: KeyBank Center (Buffalo, NY)

TV: MSG (Buffalo); NBCSP (Philadelphia)

Stream: MSG+

Radio: WGR550

The Sabres

The Sabres will continue to roll with their hot top line of JJ Peterka, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch as they hang on to the tiniest of playoff hopes. Peterka has scored in every game but one since the formation of the line. Thompson has 10 points in those six games. Tuch has eight.

The boost in production has been the catalyst for the team’s recent success. There will likely be a dip at some point, but Buffalo can’t afford that right now given the urgency to win and stay alive in the standings.

In net, it will be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, with Devon Levi returning to Rochester. Luukkonen gave up an early goal Tuesday but rebounded nicely to stop 24 of 26 shots.

The Flyers

It’s been a season of surprise performances, dramatic coaching moments, and major stories around the goaltending situation in Philadelphia. The Flyers occupy the final divisional spot in the Metropolitan despite everything. PuckLuck’s playoff projections have them dropping out, with the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals leapfrogging them.

Playoff Projections 4/5/24

Final Wild Card Spots:
Eastern Conference ➡️ 90 pts.
Western Conference ➡️ 98 pts. pic.twitter.com/ZaZsOe3lyq

— PuckLuck (@PuckLuckdotcom) April 5, 2024

Goaltender Ivan Fedotov, who just came over from Russia after being released from his contract, will get his first NHL start tonight. Samuel Ersson had been pulled from three of his last 10 starts, opening the door for head coach John Tortorella to make this decision.

Philly Hockey Now: Flyers’ Ivan Fedotov ‘Excited’ for New Adventure in Philadelphia

Injury Report

Buffalo

• Jordan Greenway (Upper Body) Day-to-Day
• Mattias Samuelsson (Upper Body) Out For Season [IR]

Philadelphia

• Sean Couturier (Shoulder) Out
• Rasmus Ristolainen (Upper Body) Out [IR]
• Ryan Ellis (Back) Out for Season [IR]
• Carter Hart (Personal) Out [IR]

Projected Lines

Buffalo Sabres

JJ Peterka – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

Zach Benson – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn

Jeff Skinner – Peyton Krebs – Lukas Rousek

Eric Robinson – Zemgus Girgensons – Victor Olofsson

Owen Power – Rasmus Dahlin

Bowen Byram – Henri Jokiharju

Jacob Bryson – Kale Clague

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Confirmed)

Philadelphia Flyers

Tyson Foerster – Morgan Frost – Travis Konecny

Owen Tippett – Scott Laughton – Bobby Brink

Ollie Lycksell – Ryan Poehling – Garnet Hathaway

Joel Farabee – Noah Cates – Cam Atkinson

Cam York – Travis Sanheim

Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale

Egor Zamula – Erik Johnson

Ivan Fedotov (Confirmed)

Lineup Source: Projected

Goalie Source: Jordan Hall, NBCS Philly

Betting Odds Breakdown

The announcement of Fedotov starting in net has shifted things a bit in the sports betting sphere for this game. The Sabres were nearly 54% favorites facing Ersson, but Fedotov’s pedigree proceeds him. He’s been successful in KHL and is 27 years old – the pinnacle age in development for a goaltender.

Therefore, PuckLuck’s model knocked the Sabres down a couple of percentage points, while the sportsbooks adjusted the odds on the Flyers in the other direction. As a result, there’s no longer an edge on betting either side.

If you want to focus anywhere, besides player props, the game total is slightly heavy at six goals. The consensus under is currently paying around -115, which at a projected goal total of 5.48 leaves a little room to exploit.

For more betting analysis across the NHL, head over to PuckLuck.com.

*PuckLuck.com provides data related to gambling and cannot guarantee the success of any suggested or related wagers. Please gamble responsibly.*