Preview: April 8 at Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Carolina Hurricanes continue their four-game stint away from Raleigh on Tuesday when they take on the Buffalo Sabres.

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When: Tuesday, April 8

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

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Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Odds at Time of Publishing, via Fanatics Sportsbook: Canes -180

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Canes Record: 46-26-4 (96 Points, 2nd - Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 5-1 Loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, April 5

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Sabres Record: 34-36-6 (74 Points, 7th - Atlantic Division)

Sabres Last Game: 6-3 Win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday, April 6

Last Game...

• The Canes "couldn't get going" on Saturday night in Boston, falling 5-1. It was their second loss in as many nights after falling to Detroit the night before.
• Justin Robidas provided the lone highlight for Carolina, recording his first NHL goal in the final minute of play.

Previous Meetings vs. BUF

• January 27: Carolina earned a 5-2 victory on Whalers Night in Raleigh.
• January 15: A late rally wasn't enough for the Canes in upstate New York last month as they fell 4-2 at KeyBank Center.

Fishy's Favorite Foe...

• Sebastian Aho enters tonight's game with 29 points in 21 career games against the Sabres.
• With 28 goals in 75 games this season, the team's alternate captain is on the cusp of his fourth consecutive and sixth overall 30-goal season of his career.
• He also paces the team with 42 assists this season.

In Net...

• Pyotr Kochetkov (26-14-3 | 2.57 GAA | .899 SV%) is expected to be between the pipes tonight after Frederik Andersen (13-6-0 | 2.11 GAA | .914 SV%) played on Saturday in Boston.
• Kochetkov has had a tough stretch, finding himself on the losing side of three of his last four outings. However, the Russian backstop has already picked up a win against Buffalo this season and is 2-0 against them in his career.

On The Other Side...

• The Sabres are closing in on a 14th consecutive season without making the playoffs, but don't let that fool you. Entering tonight's tilt on a four-game winning streak, the Sabres boast a league-high-tying 14 points in their last eight games, including wins over three already-clinched playoff clubs (TBL, WPG, WSH).
• Alex Tuch leads his club with 12 points (7G, 5A) over the last eight games, ranking T-5th in the NHL in that span. Tage Thompson, with 10 points during that stretch, ranks T-8th in the league.
• The Sabres lead the league in 5v5 goals (27) and goals for per game (5.00) during their eight-game heater, finding success on offense despite a middling power play (23.85 - 12th in NHL) and a scuffling penalty kill (69.6% - 28th in NHL) in that span.

Injury Updates

• Forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi did not play in the third period of Saturday's game in Boston. Rod Brind'Amour said after practice on Monday that the Finnish forward was "still getting checked out."
• Forward Andrei Svechnikov suffered an injury on Apr. 2 and missed both games to start the Canes' road trip. Svechnikov returned to practice with the team on Monday. Rod Brind'Amour was unsure who would be eligible to play in tonight's tilt but noted that the return of Svechnikov and others was a "positive sign."
• Forward Jordan Staal has missed four games due to a lower-body injury but also practiced with the team on Monday. Rod Brind'Amour has described the injury as "not overly serious" and said Staal could be playing, if needed, but the team would rather let him get back to 100%.
• Forward William Carrier suffered a lower-body injury on Jan. 4. On Jan. 24, Rod Brind'Amour revealed that the forward is going to miss "a couple of months, at minimum." Carrier resumed skating with the team during the first week of April.
• Forward Jesper Fast was ruled out for the 2024-25 season in August after having neck surgery.

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their white uniforms. To view the team's full 2024-25 uniform schedule, click here.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes will fly to D.C. post-game and are scheduled to practice on Wednesday. They'll then return to game action on Thursday against the Washington Capitals.
• Next Game: Thursday, April 10 at Washington | 7:00 p.m.
• Next Home Game: Saturday, April 12 vs. NY Rangers | 3:00 p.m. | Tickets | Parking | Upcoming Theme Nights