3-5-11 Sabres @ Flyers

So far this season the Flyers have played 10 afternoon games, and the Sabres have played three. The Flyers struggled with afternoon games last season,  6-7-1, but they have improved greatly on those numbers this season, 6-2-2 (4-1-1 at home). Although the majority of these games have been low scoring affairs, all but one had five goals or less, the Flyers hold a distinct scoring advantage over their opponents, 16-26. The Sabres are 1-1-1 in their three afternoon affairs, winning the only road game of the three, and outscoring their opponents 13-11.

The Flyers to watch are Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell. Briere has two goals and four assists in the two games against the Sabres this season, and 10 points in eight games against his old club since joining the Flyers. Hartnell has two goals and two assists against the Sabres this season, and 11 points in 14 games against the Sabres while with the Flyers. Bobrovsky was in net for the two previous games against Buffalo, but I am not sure if he will be in net for this game.

The Sabres offense has struggled against the Flyers this season. The majority of their offense was generated by Derek Roy's line, but he is out for the rest of the year with a torn quadriceps tendon. Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek have been the hottest Sabres forwards since the all-star break, with 14 and 11 points respectively. Ryan Miller was in net for the two previous games against the Flyers, and I don't see any reason he will not be in the net tomorrow, which would be his ninth straight start. He has a .934 save percentage over his previous eight starts, and will have to be good again today if the Sabres want to have a chance to win.

The Sabres are desperate for points as the try to overtake the Carolina Hurricanes for eight place. A win would pull them to within one point of the idle Canes. The Flyers still don't seem to have a sense of urgency in their game, but if they lose today and the Bruins are able to beat the Penguins, the Bruins would cut the Flyers lead to a single point. The Flyers have the talent to beat the Sabres, it is just a question if they have the will. I'll give the advantage to the Flyers based solely on their record in day games.