Flyers close 2024-25 season with Thursday showdown in Buffalo

Two teams with nothing left to play for but pride — and lottery odds — will face off Thursday night in Buffalo, as the Philadelphia Flyers (33-38-10) take on the Buffalo Sabres (35-39-7) in the final regular-season game for both clubs.

Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

The Orange and Black come in having dropped a 3-0 decision to Columbus on Tuesday, their 12th loss in 14 games. With their playoff hopes long extinguished and a top-five draft pick potentially within reach, the Flyers are limping toward the finish line.

Meanwhile, the Sabres also fell on Tuesday — 4-0 to Toronto — and are on a two-game skid to end a roller coaster season that ultimately fell short of expectations.

Flyers Aim to End on a High Note

Philadelphia’s late-season slide has been fueled by inconsistency at both ends of the ice. Their offense, led by Travis Konecny (24 goals, 75 points), Matvei Michkov (24 goals), and Tyson Foerster (24 goals), has shown flashes of explosiveness but struggled with finishing and special teams. The Flyers rank 30th in the league on the power play at just 14.6%.

Michkov has been one of the few bright spots this year, sitting second on the team in both goals and points. Meanwhile, Konecny continues to drive play and lead all Flyers in shots with 187.

On the back end, the Flyers have leaned heavily on Travis Sanheim and Nick Seeler. Sanheim leads the team in average ice time (24:32), while Seeler quietly boasts a team-best +8 rating and leads all Flyers with 198 blocked shots. In goal, it’ll be Aleksei Kolosov (5-8-1, 3.56 GAA, .867 SV%) will get the nod in the season finale.

“I really liked him in New York,” interim head coach Brad Shaw said. “I know we ended up giving up five, but he responded and has earned another chance to get in the net.”

Sabres Looking for a Final Word

Buffalo, too, is playing out the string but has some individual milestones and development markers to watch. Tage Thompson remains their offensive centerpiece, entering tonight’s game with 44 goals and 72 points. He’s flanked by the productive duo of JJ Peterka (26 goals, 66 points) and Alex Tuch (35 goals, 65 points), both of whom have been reliable contributors in all situations.

Rasmus Dahlin anchors the blue line with 68 points in 72 games, including 17 goals. He and Owen Power have logged heavy minutes this season, though the Sabres’ defensive corps has struggled to prevent goals — allowing 283 on the season, 28th in the NHL.

Goaltending has been inconsistent in Buffalo as well. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 24-24-5 with a 3.20 goals-against average and .887 save percentage, while veteran James Reimer has posted slightly better numbers in a backup role.

Season Series & History

Philadelphia has owned the season series, winning both prior meetings by scores of 5–2 (Nov. 16) and 7–4 (Mar. 29). In those games, Ryan Poehling, Michkov, and Konecny all tallied multi-point efforts, while the Flyers power play struck three times on eight chances (37.5%).

Historically, the Flyers also hold the edge. Sean Couturier has 25 points in 32 career games vs. Buffalo, while Sanheim has tallied 18 points in 26 contests.

NHL Draft Lottery Update

With a regulation loss to the Sabres, the Flyers will finish with the fourth-best odds at landing the No. 1 overall pick. An overtime/shootout loss will give Philadelphia the fifth-best odds and a win in any fashion will put it at the sixth-best odds.

Rookie Lap

Former Boston University standout and 2022 third-round draft selection (69th overall) Devin Kaplan will make his NHL debut on Thursday, donning No. 12, last worn by Michael Raffl (2014-21).

“Relax and have fun,” Shaw said. “There’s a lot going on in his mind right now, but it’s the same sport he’s been playing since he was a young kid.”

Kaplan burns off the first year of his entry-level contract and is ineligible to be sent down to Lehigh Valley for its Calder Cup Playoffs run due to him not signing his amateur tryout.

In 115 games with the Terriers, the Bridgewater, New Jersey, native registered 64 points off of 25 goals and 39 assists. Kaplan fell one game shy of winning a national championship, losing to fellow Flyers draftee Alex Bump and the Western Michigan Broncos.

“A lot of emotions and a lot of gratitude,” Kaplan said. “Wanna thank the people who got me here.”

When: 4/17/2025; 7:00pm/ET
Where: KeyBank Center; Buffalo, NY
Broadcast Info: NBC Sports Philadelphia; Flyers Radio 24/7
Last Game PHI: 4/15/2025; 3-0 L; vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Last Game BUF: 4/15/2025; 4-0 L vs. Toronto Maple Leafs