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Philadelphia (22-14-8) at Buffalo (24-16-4)
- When: Jan 14 2026, 7:30 PM
- Where: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
- TV: TNT
Philadelphia vs Buffalo NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Buffalo -140
Spread: Buffalo -1.5 (+13)
Total: 6.0
Philadelphia Flyers Breakdown
The Flyers arrive in Buffalo looking like a team that just realized mid road trip that the vibes are gone and someone forgot to pack them. After winning five of seven, Philadelphia has managed to trip over itself three straight times, including a pair of games where Tampa Bay treated them like a preseason scrimmage. Getting outscored twelve to three at home is not ideal unless the goal is self reflection.
To their credit, the Flyers are not panicking publicly. The locker room talk sounds confident, mature, and very optimistic for a team that just got steamrolled. They believe in the process. They believe in growth. They believe this losing streak is a character building exercise and not a warning label.
Christian Dvorak has quietly been one of the few sparks, extending a modest point streak while doing a little bit of everything. Travis Konecny returned from injury and chose chaos, racking up penalty minutes instead of points, which feels very on brand. The Flyers offense has struggled to generate sustained pressure, and when they fall behind early, the entire structure tends to unravel.
Philadelphia can hang around if they keep things simple, stay out of the box, and avoid chasing the game. Easier said than done on the road against a Buffalo team that likes to skate.
Buffalo Sabres Breakdown
Buffalo enters this one mildly annoyed after having a strong home stretch snapped by Florida. The Sabres had been turning their building into a nightmare for visitors, stacking wins and playing confident hockey that actually makes sense. One loss does not erase that momentum.
The Sabres have been getting contributions from everywhere, which is exactly what you want when betting hockey. Tage Thompson continues to look like a cheat code when he has space, quietly stacking points and doing damage without forcing the issue. When Buffalo plays with pace and structure, they control the flow and wear teams down.
Defensively, the Sabres have been solid at home, limiting second chances and forcing opponents to earn every look. That is bad news for a Flyers team that has struggled to finish lately. Buffalo knows how to respond after a flat effort, and this feels like a spot where their urgency spikes.
Betting Outlook and Prediction
This game sets up nicely for Buffalo. They are at home, coming off a loss, and facing a Flyers team searching for answers. Philadelphia will compete, but Buffalo’s speed and offensive depth give them the edge over sixty minutes.
The total at 6.0 is reasonable. Buffalo can score, Philadelphia will have moments, but this does not feel like a track meet. Expect a controlled pace with Buffalo pulling away late.
Buffalo cashes the moneyline, the total stays under control, and Flyers fans start counting days until the next reset button.
Score Prediction: Sabres 3, Flyers 2
Pick: Buffalo (-140)
Total: Under 6.0 (+100)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
