The Carolina Hurricanes were recently holding the second spot in the conference but have now dropped to fifth place in the East. Rod Brind’Amour’s team has accumulated 70 points in 58 games but has struggled after a strong January. The Hurricanes have lost five out of their last six games this month, including two road defeats after the break. They suffered a heavy loss against Toronto (3-5) and were shut out by Montreal (0-4). Carolina’s defense let them down in the game against the Canadiens, and they failed to create enough chances in attack. However, returning home should improve their performance, as they have been at their best in Raleigh.
Goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has started intermittently, has a save percentage of 90.34%. The Danish netminder has had mixed performances since returning from injury, though he has managed one shutout. Meanwhile, Pyotr Kochetkov has played 35 games this season, stopping 90.29% of shots on goal.
Mikko Rantanen, since joining from Colorado, has recorded only three points and has yet to impress Carolina’s fans. The Finnish forward has a total of 67 points (26 goals, 41 assists), leading the team ahead of Sebastian Aho (20 goals, 36 assists) by 11 points. Other Hurricanes players haven’t stepped up as expected, making it challenging to compete with top scorers.
Key Stats for Betting
Buffalo Sabres are battling to climb off the bottom of the conference standings. They have 53 points from 56 games and trail 15th-placed Pittsburgh by two points, though they have four games in hand. The Sabres endured a long losing streak that ended only around the New Year. However, they have significantly improved in February, winning six of their last seven games. Following the break, Buffalo secured an emphatic 8-2 victory over the Rangers at home and then narrowly defeated the Anaheim Ducks (3-2).
Despite their attacking prowess, defensive issues persist. The Sabres have conceded 15 goals in their last five games, and they haven’t kept opponents below two goals since January 10. The addition of James Reimer hasn’t solved their defensive problems, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen remains their primary goaltender but has struggled, with a save percentage of just 89.57%.
Tage Thompson (28 goals, 23 assists) and Rasmus Dahlin (9 goals, 37 assists) continue to lead Buffalo’s offense. Alex Tuch (20 goals, 24 assists), JJ Peterka (16 goals, 27 assists), and Jason Zucker (18 goals, 26 assists) have all surpassed the 40-point mark, making the Sabres’ attack well-balanced rather than reliant on individual brilliance. Their collective play allows them to adapt in case of injuries.
Key Stats for Betting
Carolina, despite recent struggles, has been dominant at home, while Buffalo has shown signs of resurgence. The Hurricanes have a more structured defense and stronger goaltending options, which could give them the edge. However, Buffalo’s offensive depth and current momentum make them a dangerous opponent.
Predicted Outcome: Carolina wins 4-2, leveraging home advantage and superior defensive play.
The Hurricanes struggled in their first two games after the break, suffering back-to-back defeats with a combined score of 3-10. Rod Brind’Amour’s squad looked shaky defensively and failed to generate much offense, even going scoreless in their last game in Canada. However, Carolina is a completely different team on home ice, where they rarely allow opponents easy entry into their zone.
Buffalo, on the other hand, has found its rhythm, securing two convincing home wins. Still, earning points in Raleigh will be a tough challenge for the Sabres. We expect Jordan Staal’s team to respond to their January loss with a strong performance and secure a statement win.
Our pick: Carolina to win with an Asian handicap (-1) at 1.87.
