Game #36
Buffalo Sabres (9-19-7) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (15-12-7)
Season Series: 11/18 – Hurricanes 3, Sabres 1 | 12/15 – Hurricanes 5, Sabres 4 (OT)
Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. EST | PNC Arena | Raleigh, NC
TV: MSG
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Canes blog: Canes Country
What to Watch
1. Trying to go back to back.
After winning last night the Sabres will try to win the second game of a back to back to sweep a weekend set for the first time all season. They’ve actually picked up more points in the second game of back to back’s this season than they have in the first game.
Know Your Opponent
1. Searching for Consistency
Consistency has haunted the Hurricanes all season. They’ve won four of their last five games. However, mixed in there is a 8-1 beating from the Toronto Maple Leafs on the 100-year anniversary of the NHL.
2. Balanced Scoring
The Hurricanes have eight players with at least 19 points this season. The Sabres, on the other hand, have three players with at least 19 points.
Projected Lineup (Unconfirmed)
28 Zemgus Girgensons – 15 Jack Eichel – 23 Sam Reinhart
9 Evander Kane – 90 Ryan O’Reilly – 21 Kyle Okposo
67 Benoit Pouliot – 10 Jacob Josefson – 29 Jason Pominville
20 Scott Wilson – 22 Johan Larsson – 17 Jordan Nolan
6 Marco Scandella – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
19 Jake McCabe – 47 Zach Bogosian
4 Josh Gorges – 82 Nathan Beaulieu
Starting Goaltender: 31 Chad Johnson