Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night at Raleigh, N.C., winning for only the second time in the past seven games.

Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night. Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Taylor Hall and Seth Jarvis also scored for Carolina, which had lost its first two games after the league break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Where do the Buffalo Sabres go from here? Heading into a Thursday night game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Sabres have won six of their last seven games and seven of their last 10. But their playoff chances are still hovering around 2 percent,

Buffalo Sabres broadcaster Rob Ray didn't miss a beat after being stuck in the face with a deflected puck during Saturday's game against the New York Rangers.

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Pregame analysis and predictions of the Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL game to be played on March 6, 2025 on ESPN.

The Flames are looking at Sabres center Dylan Cozens as a potential trade deadline addition amid their surprising playoff chase

The Hurricanes scored three first-period goals in a span of 3:32, and though the Sabres had opportunities to rally, their power play failed them in a 5-2 loss at Lenovo Center.

Immediately after the opening puck drop in the first period, Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens and Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi dropped their gloves and began exchanging some big punches.