The Sabres power play ranks sixth in the NHL since Dec. 21 with a 32.1-percent conversion rate (9-for-28). The unit will be tested against a Hurricanes penalty kill that ranks second in the league at 85.0 percent and first since the beginning of December.

The Carolina Hurricanes are primed to embark on their seventh straight playoff run and are expected to add a key player from between now and the trade deadline in March. Part of what makes the Hurricanes strong two-way lineup so consistent is it is always a sum larger than its parts.

Ryan McLeod registered a hat trick, one on the game's first shot, as the Buffalo Sabres held off the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-2, Wednesday night in a nationally televised game in KeyBank Center.

McLeod’s hat-trick goal with 24 seconds remaining put the finishing touches on a bend-but-don’t-break performance by the Sabres, who were coming off a loss to Seattle in their most recent game in which goals against compounded into a blown lead.

The Hurricanes continue to dazzle from an analytical standpoint, even if the results haven't been there on the scoreboard lately. However, the Sabres will give Carolina a great chance to grab a W on Wednesday night.

The Rangers special teams play leads Blueshirts to first third period come-from-behind win of the season with a 5-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have selected their starting goaltender against the Carolina Hurricanes ahead of a tough Eastern Conference matchup. Coming off

Matthew Knies has been red hot since welcoming Auston Matthews back into the lineup alongside him. He leads all Leafs with 16 shots on goal over Toronto’s five-game winning streak. I’ll bet on him to keep it rolling and record 2+ shots tonight.