A pair of playoff teams are set to meet on Wednesday at KeyBank Center. The Flyers (2-6-3, 7 points) have gotten off to a rough start, winning just two of their first 11 games. It’s early, but Philadelphia needs to start racking up some wins. Things have gone a bit better for the Sabres (4-3-2, 10 points), looking to build off of last season’s second round appearance. Which of these Eastern Conference hopefuls will come out on top tonight?
Buffalo comes into this one as favorites (-192), with Philadelphia priced at +160 on the moneyline. The total is set at 5.5 goals. Read on for a Flyers vs. Sabres prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for Wednesday’s game, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Flyers vs. Sabres prediction, preview
It’s safe to say that things have not gone according to plan for the Flyers. This group, fresh off of a second round appearance last season, has fallen flat on its face so far. The team has picked up two wins over its last pair of contests, so there might be a bit of momentum coming into Wednesday. Regardless, this has been about as bad of a start as possible. A once defensively-minded club has allowed the NHL’s fifth-most goals (35) so far. Even worse, the offense has recorded the league’s third-fewest goals (17). If there’s a bright spot, offseason addition Joseph Woll has done a solid job at goalie (2.64 GAA, .917 SV%).
Right winder Matvei Michkov has been the standout on Philadelphia’s offense, scoring a team-leading six goals. However, no other player on the active roster has scored more than two times. The team has posted league-worst marks in expected goals percentage (35.4%), shot attempts percentage (40.72%) and unblocked shot attempt percentage (38.86%). Even when given five-on-four opportunities, this squad tends to come up short. The Flyers have posted the NHL’s sixth-lowest power play percentage (12.9%). In each of Philly’s last two wins, they scored a middling total of three goals.
Buffalo retooled during the offseason, trading defenseman Bowen Byram and winger Jordan Greenway for a package that included the fourth overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft. All things considered, it was a good job by this front office of gaining a significant trade asset. However, it does make the on-ice product a bit worse during the short term. A once stout Sabres defense has seen a notable drop off. During the 2025-26 season, the team ranked tenth in goals allowed; they’re 23rd in that category this year. Starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (3.59 GAA, .860 SV%) hasn’t been great, either.
On the other end of the ice, the Sabres have also seen a dip in productivity. The duo of Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn remains effective, notching five goals apiece. Despite missing three games this season, captain Rasmus Dahlin is still one of hockey’s elite defensemen. However, the front office didn’t make much of an effort to replace 30-goal scorer Alex Tuch over the summer. That absence has had an impact on Buffalo, especially when it comes to depth. Still, more goals are likely on the horizon. Buffalo’s 52.61% expected goals percentage is eighth-best in the league this season.
Flyers vs. Sabres pick, best bet
Two straight wins are nice, but the Flyers still aren’t a team that can be trusted going forward. That’s without factoring in injuries to RW Owen Tippett (upper body) and D Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body). An inept Philadelphia lineup now has to face a Sabres roster stocked with quality defensemen. At home, expect a comfortable win for Buffalo on Wednesday.
