When: Thursday, April 7, 7:30 p.m. EST
Watch:ESPN+, Hulu
Listen:99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes.com/Listen, Hurricanes App
Canes Record:45-17-8 (98 Points, 1st - Metropolitan Division)
Canes Last Game:4-2 Loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, April 5.
Sabres Record:26-34-11 (63 Points, T-5th - Atlantic Division)
Sabres Last Game:4-2 Win over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, April 5.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
THE QUICK HITS:
Last Time Out:The Canes came out of the gate strong on Tuesday, taking an early 10-0 shots advantage and a 1-0 score into the second period. Buffalo flipped the script in the second though, taking all the momentum by scoring two goals less than six minutes apart. Despite an early third equalizer from Carolina, the Sabres kept rolling, scoring a pair to cap off their 4-2 victory.
Playoffs?:Carolina enters tonight with a magic number of 2, meaning that a win would clinch their spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Going For 100:The Canes have another chance to hit 100 points, just the second time in franchise history that they would hit that mark. Currently with 45 wins and 98 points, both sit third all-time for the group, behind just the Stanley Cup-winning 2005-06 squad, and the 2018-19 crew.
Fredzilla:Although he suffered the loss Tuesday night in Buffalo, Frederik Andersen's 2.07 goals against average (GAA) leads the National Hockey League. His 33 wins and .926 save percentage (SV%) also rank tied for third.
Number One Killers:Carolina enters tonight with penalty kill success rate of 87.9%. They've been tops in the league for months and currently remain on pace to have a higher final number than last year's number one penalty kill, Vegas, who finished at 86.8%.
Need A Helper:Speaking of duos, Jaccob Slavin and Tony DeAngelo are also creeping their way up some franchise history lists, both sitting third and fourth right now for assists by a defenseman in a single season. DeAngelo (35) and Slavin (34) sit only behind Frantisek Kaberle (38) and Joni Pitkanen (40).
Domi's Dominance:In 16 career games against Buffalo, Max Domi has totaled 19 points.
Kotkaniemi Update:Forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi took part in a limited skate yesterday at PNC Arena. #82 suffered a lower-body injury ten days ago against the Capitals and was projected to miss 2-3 weeks.
A Look At The Other Side:Although they were eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday, the Sabres have earned points in nine of their last ten games. Including wins over Carolina, Calgary, Pittsburgh and Nashville, Buffalo is also 10-4-3 since March 1, certainly still posing a threat to any club they take on - as the Canes found out Tuesday. A key piece to the team's offense is Jeff Skinner, who is second in team scoring. With 51 points in 69 games, the former Hurricane trails only Tage Thompson on Buffalo's roster.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Milestones Within Reach: Teuvo Teravainen is slated to play in his 400th game as a member of the team tonight. Max Domi's first goal with the Canes will be his 100th of his NHL career.
What Are We Wearing?:The team will be wearing their red sweaters tonight.
Worth A Click:
CanesCast 207: Drawing The Lines
Canes Fall In Buffalo, 4-2
Mailbag #22: Don't Worry, Be Happy
Canes, NC Warriors Announce Partnership
Hurricanes April Schedule
NHL Standings
