Postgame Report | Thompson injured in Sabres' 5-1 loss to Hurricanes

Alex Tuch scored the lone goal as the Buffalo Sabres came up short to the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 5-1 on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres held a 13-5 advantage in shots in the third but were unable to mount a comeback.
"They came at us with a lot of energy. They kept it simple. They were flipping pucks out, keeping us on our heels," Tuch said. "We weren't able to sustain their pressure. We collapsed early on and when you go down 3-0 against a team like that, it's going to be impossible to come back, honestly. We dug ourselves a hole and couldn't get out of it."
Sabres coach Don Granato said that the team just couldn't get to its game and into a rhythm.
"It was one team that was in sync, and one team that wasn't in sync, and we weren't in sync," Granato said. "We fought it, and it was the first time in a while I've seen our guys carry frustration and start to play with frustration."
Sabres All-Star forward Tage Thompson played his final shift with 1:01 remaining in the second period, but did not return due to an upper-body injury.

He missed Monday's practice due to injury, but was a full participant during Tuesday's session and Wednesday's morning skate.
Granato did not have an update on Thompson's status after the game and said that no decision has yet been made on his availability for All-Star Weekend, which kicks off on Friday in South Florida.
Ukko-Pekka Luukonen made 29 saves in net against Carolina.
Sebastian Aho, Stefan Noesen, Brent Burns, Derek Stepan, and Jordan Martinook each scored once for the Hurricanes. Goaltender Antti Raanta stopped 29 shots.
Heading into the break, the Sabres have 56 points through 50 games and are currently one point behind the Penguins, who hold the second Wild Card berth.
"This group has done a nice job to this point in the schedule," Granato said. "They've earned where we're at. We're in a situation that's a very good one. That was my message to the team after the game."

How it happened

PERIOD 1
Carolina outshot Buffalo 17-9, carrying a 3-1 lead into the locker room at the end of the opening period.
The Hurricanes took advantage of a power-play opportunity 2:35 into the game as Teuvo Teravainen found Aho on the doorstep to put Carolina on the board first.
The Canes went up 2-0 following a tic-tac-toe play in front of the net saw Noesen tally his ninth of the season with 9:55 remaining.
Carolina extended its lead to three with a goal from Burns with 7:13 left.
With 5:15 to go in the period, Tuch went top shelf to put the Sabres on the scoresheet.

PERIOD 2
Buffalo successfully killed off a penalty after Tyson Jost was called for roughing at the 6:57 mark but was unable to capitalize on its only power play of the period.
Luukkonen looked sharp in net, stopping 12 shots.
PERIOD 3
Zemgus Girgensons drew a penalty 46 seconds into the final frame. Buffalo generated multiple shots but couldn't find the back of the net.
The Sabres held Carolina without a shot until the 6:05 mark, recording eight shots of their own in that timespan.
Stephan skated around Luukkonen to make it a three-goal game with 9:30 remaining.
Tuch then nearly scored his second of the night after ripping a shot off the goal post.
Martinook capped things off with an empty-net goal.

What we learned

1. The Sabres hosted their first-ever Choose Love Night, which put a spotlight on the Black community and local black owned businesses.

The team wore special Choose Love warm-up jerseys, which fans can bid on now until February 8 at Sabres.com/Auction. Proceeds will benefit Persistence Preparatory Academy and Agents for Advocacy.

2. Jeff Skinner played in his 900th career game, becoming the 63rd active skater to appear in 900 NHL games.
   According to Sabres PR, Skinner is the 526th skater in NHL history to appear in 900 or more games.
   3. Tuch has recorded 44 points (17+27) in his last 35 contests, including 10 points (4+6) in his last nine games.

Up next

Buffalo will depart for the NHL All-Star break, followed by its mandatory bye week.
The Sabres have 56 points through 50 games and are currently one point behind the Penguins, who hold the second Wild Card berth.
After the break, the Sabres will return home on February 11 as the Calgary Flames visit KeyBank Center for a Saturday matinee.
Coverage on MSG begins at noon. The puck drops at 12:30 p.m. on MSG and WGR 550. Tickets are on sale now.