Philly Leader

The Philadelphia Flyers are set to close the 2024-25 season with an away game against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. The game, scheduled at the KeyBank Center, will start at 7:00 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on NBCP with a radio simulcast on 97.5 The Fanatic and Flyers Radio 24/7.

This marks the Flyers' first visit to Buffalo this season, having defeated the Sabres twice at home earlier in the year. The Flyers, under interim head coach Brad Shaw, have a 33-38-10 record, while the Sabres, led by Lindy Ruff, hold a 35-39-7 record. Both teams have no playoff aspirations but will aim to end their respective seasons on a positive note.

The draft lottery positioning could influence the Flyers' approach. As it stands, the Flyers have 76 points and 21 regulation wins, while the Sabres have 77 points and 28 regulation wins. These figures will impact their standing relative to the Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken, who both concluded their seasons with 76 points. A regulation win would position the Flyers in 26th place, while a loss would drop them to 29th.

In a notable development, Flyers winger Devin Kaplan may make his NHL debut in this game. Kaplan, who recently signed a three-year entry-level contract, was drafted by the Flyers in 2022 and played three seasons with Boston University. His role in the game remains contingent on team strategy and lineup adjustments.

Another player to watch is Matvei Michkov, a standout rookie for the Flyers. Michkov scored 24 goals and recorded 36 assists this season. He is vying for the rookie goal-scoring lead against San Jose's Macklin Celebrini and aims to improve his standing on several Flyers' rookie records.

The Flyers' power play ranks 30th in the league, while the Sabres sit slightly higher at 23rd. Both teams have their defensive challenges, with the Flyers leading the NHL in blocked shots—a testament to their defensive commitment.

The game has no playoff implications, but it's essential for both teams to maintain focus and discipline. Coaches Shaw and Ruff will likely emphasize the importance of situational awareness and minimizing errors.

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