Sabres vs. Flyers Prediction & Picks - Dec. 18

The Buffalo Sabres (14-14-4) host the Philadelphia Flyers (17-9-6) at KeyBank Center on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Sabres have won three games in a row.

Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more.

Here is our pick for who will claim the win in Thursday's matchup.

In the last 10 games, the Flyers have gone 5-2-3 while scoring 31 total goals (four power-play goals on 29 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 13.8%). They have allowed 26 goals.

Sabres vs. Flyers Predictions for Thursday

Our computer model for this encounter calls for a final result of Sabres 4, Flyers 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Sabres (-147)
• Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
• Spread Pick: Flyers (+1.5)

Watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more streaming all season on ESPN+.

Sabres Splits and Trends

• The Sabres have a 14-14-4 record overall, with a 4-4-8 record in games that have gone to overtime.
• Buffalo is 3-0-4 (10 points) in its seven games decided by one goal.
• In the four games this season the Sabres scored only one goal, they finished 0-3-1.
• Buffalo finished 1-5-0 in the six games this season when it scored a pair of goals (registering two points).
• The Sabres have scored three or more goals in 19 games (13-3-3, 29 points).
• In the 11 games when Buffalo has scored a single power-play goal, it has a 6-3-2 record (14 points).
• In the 13 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Buffalo is 4-7-2 (10 points).
• The Sabres' opponents have had more shots in 19 games. The Sabres finished 10-7-2 in those contests (22 points).

Flyers Splits and Trends

• The Flyers have earned a record of 7-6-13 in overtime contests to contribute to an overall mark of 17-9-6.
• Philadelphia has earned eight points (2-4-4) in its 10 games decided by one goal.
• This season the Flyers scored just one goal in six games and they finished 0-5-1 in those matchups.
• Philadelphia has earned seven points (2-3-3 record) this season when scoring two goals .
• The Flyers have scored more than two goals 17 times, earning 32 points from those matchups (15-0-2).
• This season, Philadelphia has capitalized on a lone power-play goal in eight games and picked up 10 points with a record of 4-2-2.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Philadelphia is 8-4-1 (17 points).
• The Flyers have been outshot by opponents in 18 games, going 8-5-5 to record 21 points.

Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live.

Team Stats Comparison

Sabres vs. Flyers Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York

Sign up for ESPN+ to watch the Sabres play Flyers.