Flyers Honor Bob Kelly as They Host Sabres in Afternoon Game

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Philadelphia Flyers, under interim head coach Brad Shaw, will host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. EDT at the Wells Fargo Center. This matchup marks an important occasion as the Flyers will pay tribute to Bob “The Hound” Kelly, who is retiring after over 50 years with the organization.

Brad Shaw’s Flyers (29-36-9) hope to build on the momentum of their recent 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, snapping a five-game winless streak during Shaw’s official debut. “We’re excited to finally get that win under our belt,” Shaw said after the game. “The guys worked hard and it’s a good stepping stone.”

The Sabres (30-35-6) arrive in Philadelphia after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-3 in their last outing. Buffalo has posted a 6-4-0 record over its last 10 games, but struggles on the road with just 11 wins away from home this season.

Before puck drop, fans will witness a heartfelt ceremony honoring Kelly, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Flyers against the Sabres back in 1975. Kelly has served as the Flyers’ Ambassador of Hockey and has contributed significantly to community initiatives throughout his career.

All eyes will be on Flyers captain Sean Couturier, who enters this match riding a five-game point streak, accumulating eight points (four goals, four assists) during that span. “We’re confident in our abilities right now,” Couturier stated. “The chemistry with my line mates has been great, and we are looking to keep this momentum going.”

Defenseman Travis Sanheim, who celebrates his 29th birthday Saturday, logged an impressive 30:28 of ice time in his last game and will continue to shoulder a heavy workload with Rasmus Ristolainen sidelined due to injury. Sanheim holds a personal record of 18 points (3 goals, 15 assists) in 25 career games against the Sabres.

Meanwhile, Cam York returns to the lineup after being benched for team discipline, where he averaged 21:01 of ice time this season and has 15 points in 58 games. Shaw confirmed his return, stating, “Cam is an important part of our defense and we’re glad to have him back.”

Winger Owen Tippett, while facing a scoring slump, looks to break free against the Sabres, where he has excelled in previous encounters with five goals in ten games.

The Sabres’ leading scorer, Tage Thompson, who has netted goals in back-to-back games, poses a significant challenge for the Flyers. “He’s a big body with great skill,” Shaw noted. “Our focus will be making it difficult for him to find space.”

With the Flyers looking to capitalize on their recent victory and the Sabres aiming for consistency, Saturday’s matchup presents an intriguing opportunity for both teams.