Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The Carolina Hurricanes get a rematch on Thursday at home against the Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo was eliminated from the playoffs for a NHL record 11th-straight year on Wednesday, while Carolina can clinch a playoff berth on Thursday with a win.
The Sabres overcame a bad first period to beat Carolina on Tuesday night. It was the first time in six years that the Sabres had beaten the Hurricanes, covering a span of 11 games.
Jeff Skinner scored a goal, giving him six goals and eight points in six games against his former team. Overall, Skinner has six goals and four assists for 10 points in his last nine games.
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Carolina has the NHL’s third-best home record with a points percentage of .771. The Sabres are 25th on the road with a points percentage of .426.
Buffalo is 3-0-1 in its last four road games, and 5-1-1 in its last seven if you include the 2022 Heritage Classic, which the NHL doesn’t. Overall, the Sabres have points in nine out of 10 games.
Tuesday night did see the Sabres manage four goals against the NHL’s best defensive team and best penalty kill.
Craig Anderson will be in the Sabres' crease for the fourth time in five games. He’s 4-0-2 in his last six starts.
Mark Pysyk will go back in on defense for Will Butcher.
Tage Thompson has been on a tear lately, scoring eight goals and five assists for 13 points in 12 games.
Victor Olofsson has nine goals and four assists for 13 points in 17 games.
Casey Mittelstadt is starting to hit his stride with nine points in nine games.
Dylan Cozens has five points in five games, while Kyle Okposo has six points in eight games.
Since March 27, the Sabres have averaged 3.83 goals per-game in six games.
Carolina has had a very slight slip in their game lately. The Canes have lost two-straight and three out of four games. In their last 12 games, they’ve lost eight.
Despite that, the Hurricanes are still third overall in the NHL with a points percentage of .700.
Rod Brind’Amour has decided to switch goalies and is going with Antti Raanta on Thursday. This season, he’s 11-4-4 with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. In his last start, Raanta allowed four goals in an overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Sebastian Aho leads the Canes with 31 goals and 39 assists for 69 points in 67 games. He has points in seven out of eight games, scoring four goals and four assists for eight points.
Teuvo Teravainen also has points in seven out of eight games, scoring two goals and eight assists for 10 points.
This is another radio only game with Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray. Join Schopp and the Bulldog for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6:30 p.m. ET when you’ll hear from Don Granato, Okposo and Cozens.
***Photo: Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)
