The Philadelphia Flyers faced a tough defeat against the Buffalo Sabres, losing 5-2 at KeyBank Center on Wednesday night. This loss marks the Flyers’ fourth game without a win, as they now hold a record of 0-3-1 in their last four outings.
The evening began with the Sabres taking the lead thanks to Rasmus Dahlin, who scored on the power play, marking his fifth goal of the season. Buffalo extended their lead with a goal from Mattias Samuelsson, showcasing their dominance in the first period where they also hit the post twice and created five high-danger chances compared to just two for the Flyers.
Early in the second period, Jack Quinn added to the Sabres’ tally, pushing the score to 3-0. The Flyers finally found the back of the net when Owen Tippett scored to make it 3-1, his sixth goal in the last twelve games, highlighting his recent offensive surge. However, Dahlin quickly responded with another power play goal, reinstating Buffalo’s three-goal advantage.
In the final period, Trevor Zegras scored on a power play to again narrow the score to 4-2. Unfortunately for the Flyers, Ryan McLeod sealed the game with a shorthanded empty net goal, restoring the three-goal margin.
Dan Vladar started the game but had to leave due to an injury after making three saves on five shots. Samuel Ersson replaced him in goal, saving six of the eight shots he faced. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was an essential part of the Sabres’ victory, stopping 20 shots throughout the game.
The Flyers struggled significantly despite having some offensive chances, including what could have been a crucial 2-on-0 opportunity. Both teams had been evenly matched in terms of shots and faceoffs, but Buffalo capitalized on their chances more effectively.
As they look ahead, the Flyers will need to regroup and find ways to translate their sporadic scoring opportunities into sustained offensive pressure to improve their standings in upcoming games.