Philadelphia Flyers vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 12/18/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Philadelphia Flyers vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Flyers (-210) Sabres (+172)

KeyBank Center is the site where the Buffalo Sabres (14-14-4) will attempt to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers (17-9-6) on Thursday. The moneyline on this game has Philadelphia at -210 and Buffalo is at +172. The over/under is set at 6.

The Philadelphia Flyers were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-1 victory against the Canadiens in their previous outing. Philadelphia accumulated 4 penalty minutes in this game. The Flyers had a good offensive outing in this victory. They also had 3 chances with the advantage but weren't able to net one. In the game, they earned a goal on 4 of the 21 shots they tried.

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When playing at even strength, the Flyers have given up 69 goals while getting 77 as an offensive unit. Philadelphia Flyers opponents have recorded 99 power play tries (15th in professional hockey) and have tallied 18 goals in those attempts. In reference to their scoring, the Philadelphia Flyers have tallied 91 goals (25th in the NHL) so far this year and have conceded 87. Philadelphia has taken 795 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.5%. For the season, they have accumulated 40 points and their points % is .625. The Flyers thus far have had 824 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .894. Philadelphia has accumulated 88 power play chances and they have tallied 14 goals out of those tries, earning them a rate of 15.91%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Daniel Vladar. In his career, Vladar has accumulated 63 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .548. His save percentage currently is .897 for his 5,615 mins guarding the cage. Vladar has seen 3,339 shots taken against him and has recorded 2,995 saves. The opposition has notched 344 goals against Vladar in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.99. He has compiled an overall mark of 61-39-19 and he was named the starter in 115 games. Vladar has played in 125 games over the course of his hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Buffalo played the Kraken in a matchup where the Sabres took home the victory by a final of 3-1. The Sabres had 3 goals of the 23 shots on goal they attempted. They had 2 power play attempts in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal.

Buffalo has attempted 907 shots (19th in pro hockey) and has a shot percentage of 10.58%, while allowing their opponents 954 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 84.95% on the other teams 93 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.6%. They have a tally of 99 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 20.20%. The Sabres have racked up 76 goals at even strength and 20 goals (15th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have permitted 109 goals to be scored by of a combination of 95 goals at even strength and 14 goals while they had less men on the ice. During this campaign, the Buffalo Sabres have accounted for 96 goals, 32 points, in addition to a points percentage of .500.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Alex Lyon patrolling the crease. Lyon has accrued a lifetime record of 57-44-14 and has been in net for 130 games. Lyon's rate of quality starts sits at 53.0% and he has 61 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. He has accounted for 3,211 stops out of 3,559 shots taken against him, which gives him a save % of .902. Teams are averaging 3.03 goals/game and he has yielded 348 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 115 games and has racked up 6,027 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Philadelphia (-210)

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