Sabres Open Grueling Road Stretch in Philly with Momentum Building Among Key Skaters
December 3, 2025 - Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
The Buffalo Sabres are about to find out what they're made of. Tonight’s matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers kicks off a demanding stretch-Buffalo’s first road trip of at least six games and 12 days since March 2011.
It’s a stretch that will test depth, resilience, and chemistry. And with both teams hovering in the middle of their respective division standings, every point matters.
At 11-11-4, the Sabres are seventh in the Atlantic Division with 26 points, while the Flyers sit fifth in the Metro at 14-8-3, holding 31 points. Both clubs are fighting for traction in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture, and tonight's tilt could serve as a tone-setter for December.
Special Teams: A Tale of Two Kill Units
Neither team is lighting the world on fire with the man advantage-Buffalo’s power play ranks 19th at 17.3%, while Philadelphia isn’t far behind at 20th (17.1%). But where the Sabres have quietly excelled is on the penalty kill.
Their 88.9% success rate is second-best in the league, a major reason they’ve been able to stay competitive in tight games. Philly’s penalty kill is solid at 82.1% (11th), but Buffalo’s unit has been a genuine difference-maker.
Scoring Leaders: Zegras and Tuch Pacing Their Clubs
For Buffalo, Alex Tuch leads the way with 23 points in 26 games, followed closely by Tage Thompson (12 goals, 22 points) and rookie Josh Doan, who’s quietly putting together a strong campaign with 18 points. On the Flyers’ side, Trevor Zegras continues to be the engine, notching 25 points in 25 games, while Owen Tippett is chipping in with 17 points.
Tuch enters tonight with points in back-to-back games and a chance to extend that to a three-game streak-something he’s already done twice this season. Doan, meanwhile, is riding a mini-surge of his own, with three points in his last two outings. A point tonight would give him a three-game streak, matching the longest of his young career.
Thompson, Buffalo’s top goal scorer, has been heating up as well, with six goals and four assists over his last 10 games. When he’s on, the Sabres’ offense opens up in a big way.
Between the Pipes: Luukkonen vs. Ersson
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gets the nod for Buffalo. He’s posted a 4-3-1 record with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage-numbers that suggest stability, if not dominance. He’ll be facing Sam Ersson, who’s had a bumpier ride for the Flyers with a 4-4-2 record, a 3.09 GAA, and an .859 save percentage.
Luukkonen’s consistency could be critical on this road trip, especially with Buffalo carrying three goalies, including Colten Ellis and Alex Lyon.
Projected Lineup: Youth, Depth, and a Familiar Core
Buffalo’s forward group features a blend of youth and experience. Zach Benson, Josh Norris, and Thompson are expected to form the top line, while Jason Zucker-who’s been red-hot since returning from illness-joins Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn on the second unit. Zucker has eight points in his last seven games, including seven in six contests since rejoining the lineup on November 21.
Quinn is also finding his rhythm, with six points in his last six games, giving Buffalo some much-needed secondary scoring.
Josh Doan, Noah Ostlund, and Tuch round out a third line with some offensive upside, while the fourth line of Jordan Greenway, Peyton Krebs, and Beck Malenstyn brings physicality and defensive reliability.
On the blue line, the pairings are headlined by Mattias Samuelsson and Rasmus Dahlin. Dahlin is set to hit a personal milestone tonight-playing in his 533rd game as a Sabre, which moves him past Henrik Tallinder for 11th all-time among Buffalo defensemen. He’s just seven games away from cracking the franchise’s top 10 in that category.
Bowen Byram and Conor Timmins form the second pair, with Jacob Bryson and Owen Power rounding out the defense.
Injury Report
Buffalo remains without forward Justin Danforth (lower body), defenseman Michael Kesselring (lower body), and promising young forward Jiri Kulich, who’s recovering from a blood clot. All three are on injured reserve.
What’s at Stake
This game isn’t just the start of a long road trip-it’s a gut check. The Sabres haven’t faced a stretch like this in over a decade, and how they handle the grind could go a long way in shaping their season. With multiple players finding their form and Dahlin chasing franchise milestones, there’s momentum to build on.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, is looking to tighten up defensively and get more consistency in net. Their offense, led by Zegras, has the firepower to make things difficult for Buffalo, but the Sabres' penalty kill and improving five-on-five play could tilt the balance.
It’s early December, but both teams know the margin for error is already shrinking. Tonight’s game is more than just two points-it’s a measuring stick.