Final Score: Hurricanes 5 | Sabres 4
Shots on Goal: Sabres 33 | Hurricanes 29
Sabres Goal Scorers: Jeff Skinner (8), Curtis Lazar (1), Henri Jokiharju (2), and Johan Larsson (2)
Hurricanes Goal Scorers: Jordan Staal (3), Sebastian Aho (9), Teuvo Teravainen (5), Andrei Svechnikov (8), and Dougie Hamilton (9)
Plus 1: Rodrigues, Skinner, and Sheary line
The second line of Jeff Skinner, Evan Rodrigues, and Conor Sheary had a strong night overall. They scored the first goal of the game and continued to generate scoring opportunities throughout the night. It was good to see Rodrigues step into the second line center role that was vacated by Marcus Johansson’s injury.
Plus 2: Curtis Lazar
Lazar made his Sabres debut tonight was had a big impact on the game. The Hurricanes were taking it to the Sabres and were in control with a two-goal lead. In the middle of the second period, Lazar, blocked a shot that resulted in a breakaway opportunity and he finished the play with a nice move to get his club back in the game.
Minus 1: Jake McCabe
It was another tough night for the Rasmus Ristolainen and Jake McCabe pair. However, McCabe was the one that struggled the most. The veteran defender has been arguably the team’s worst defender for a few games now. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s the one that comes out of the lineup for Colin Miller to go back in on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.
Minus 2: Carter Hutton
Hutton has had some poor puck-luck so far this season. The first goal against was another odd one that bounced over his shoulder and in. The Hurricanes put up a 1.8 expected goals for in all situations last night. Giving up five goals against on that low of an opponent shot quality isn’t what you want to see.