Flyers

Flyers-Sabres: Game 41 Preview

Kevin Durso Sports Editor

Published22 Jan 2022

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor

With their losing streak now into double-digits, the Flyers will look to avoid more franchise history in the near future. The franchise record for a winless streak is 12 games, and the opportunity to avoid this current streak reaching 11 games comes early on Saturday afternoon.

The Flyers take on the Buffalo Sabres, who are now hot on their heels just three points back in the standings.

Game time is 1 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Buffalo Sabres	GP	G	A	P
Claude Giroux	37	12	19	31	Rasmus Dahlin	40	7	19	26
Cam Atkinson	40	15	14	29	Tage Thompson	37	12	13	25
Travis Konecny	38	7	15	22	Jeff Skinner	38	14	10	24
Joel Farabee	33	11	7	18	Kyle Okposo	37	7	16	23
Sean Couturier	29	6	11	17	Victor Olofsson	32	5	16	21

Wade Allison makes his season debut on Saturday. It's been a long road to recovery for Allison, who suffered a high ankle sprain in a rookie game in September. He finally gets a chance to make it into the lineup and show what he can do.

Alex Tuch has been a solid contributor for Buffalo in his limited playing time. He only has eight games on the season, but has points in six of eights games, including a pair of goals in the last two games.

Carter Hart is expected to make another start. Hart was solid once again on Thursday, making 27 saves, but suffered yet another loss. On this current 10-game streak, Hart has taken six of the losses.

Michael Houser is expected to start for Buffalo. Houser has just one start, making his season debut on Tuesday. He made 43 saves, allowing just one goal in a win over the Ottawa Senators.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Sean Couturier (injury), Ryan Ellis (injury), Nate Thompson (injury), Derick Brassard (injury), Kevin Hayes (injury), Patrick Brown (injury), Joel Farabee (injury), Kevin Connauton (healthy), Nick Seeler (healthy)

Sabres Scratches: Dustin Tokarski (COVID protocol), Jack Quinn (injury), Will Butcher (injury), Kyle Okposo (injury), Vinnie Hinostroza (injury), Zemgus Girgensons (injury), Colin Miller (injury), Malcolm Subban (injury), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (injury), Casey Mittelstadt (injury), Drake Caggiula (injury), Craig Anderson (injury)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Joel Farabee was placed on injured reserve on Friday with an upper-body injury that will keep him out four weeks. Wade Allison comes in to make his season debut. Jackson Cates was also called up and Connor Bunnaman sent down. No other changes are expected.
Sabres: Jacob Bryson is nearing a return after missing three games. He could join the lineup and play on the third pairing along with former Flyer Robert Hagg. No other changes are anticipated.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (26th), Sabres (18th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (17th), Sabres (26th)
Recent History vs. Sabres
- April 11, 2021 – Sabres 5, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
- March 31, 2021 – Sabres 6, Flyers 1 (at BUF)
- March 29, 2021 – Flyers 4, Sabres 3 (F/OT) (at BUF)
- March 9, 2021 – Flyers 5, Sabres 4 (F/SO) (at PHI)
- Feb. 28, 2021 – Flyers 3, Sabres 0 (at BUF)
- Feb. 27, 2021 – Flyers 3, Sabres 0 (at BUF)
- Jan. 19, 2021 – Flyers 3, Sabres 0 (at PHI)
- Jan. 18, 2021 – Sabres 6, Flyers 1 (at BUF)
Flyers Leaders vs. Sabres
- Claude Giroux – 46 GP, 12 G, 30 A, 42 P
- Cam Atkinson – 19 GP, 8 G, 7 A, 15 P
- Travis Konecny – 17 GP, 4 G, 7 A, 11 P
- James van Riemsdyk – 44 GP, 19 G, 9 A, 28 P
- Carter Hart – 6 GP, 3-2-0, 2.72 GAA, .910 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Travis Sanheim needs five points to reach 100 for his career.