Opinion
3 min read

Hurricanes Set to Blow Past Sabres at KeyBank Center

As the Carolina Hurricanes prepare to face off against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, fans are eager for what promises to be an electrifying game. The Hurricanes have been showing a mix of performances lately, but there's reason to believe they'll harness the energy needed to dominate in Buffalo.


Dec 2, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Henri Jokiharju (10) and left wing Zach Benson (9) stops the shot attempt  by Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) during the first period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back at their recent games, the Hurricanes have had their ups and downs. On February 14th against the Dallas Stars, despite a strong effort with 34 shots on goal and maintaining a faceoff win percentage of 53 percent, they fell short with only two goals making it past the opposition's goaltender. The defense also struggled that night, as evidenced by their -11 plus-minus rating.


However, redemption came in a nail-biting match on February 11th against the New Jersey Devils. It was a defensive showcase for Carolina as they managed to keep New Jersey scoreless through overtime and secured a win with an impressive goaltending performance that included 34 saves – an indication of their ability to bounce back under pressure.


Dec 2, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Jack Drury (18) is congratulated by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns (8) and Carolina Hurricanes right wing Stefan Noesen (23) after his goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The most telling game came on February 9th when they faced off against the Colorado Avalanche. The Hurricanes demonstrated what they're truly capable of when firing on all cylinders – an offensive onslaught resulting in five goals from just 27 shots and capitalizing on powerplay opportunities with an efficiency rate of one goal per five chances. Their faceoff prowess was notable too, winning 56 percent of draws which helped control possession throughout the game.


The upcoming clash with Buffalo presents another opportunity for Carolina to flex its offensive muscles while tightening up defensively after some recent lapses. The Sabres will not make it easy; however, considering their own ambitions and playing in front of their home crowd at KeyBank Center.


Dec 2, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei (76) is congratulated by defenseman Brett Pesce (22) after  his goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina must leverage its strengths – aggressive forechecking leading to takeaways and converting powerplay chances while ensuring goaltending remains solid as seen in previous matches this month. If these elements come together as they did against Colorado, fans can expect a favorable outcome for the Hurricanes.


The stage is set for this exciting matchup scheduled for February 25th at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. Puck drop is slated for 6:00 PM EST (23:00 UTC), and fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ nationally or tune into MSG-B channel 635-1 or BSSO channel 646-1 depending on your locale.

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