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Carolina Hurricanes: Three Keys to Victory Against the Buffalo Sabres

By Matthew Nidiffer

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 16: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after defeating the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on March 16, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 16: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after defeating the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on March 16, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 09: Carolina Hurricanes Right Wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) skates during the first period of the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina hurricanes on Nov. 9, 2019 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – NOVEMBER 09: Carolina Hurricanes Right Wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) skates during the first period of the NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina hurricanes on Nov. 9, 2019 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Convert on the Powerplay

I know, I know. Broken record. The Carolina Hurricanes’ powerplay has (statistically) been much better during the first half of these season compared to the latter half of last season. The Canes’ have managed to convert on 22.4% of powerplay chances; the 12th best powerplay percentage in the league.

The Carolina Hurricanes take more penalties than they draw, so converting on the powerplay is of supreme importance. The Canes sport a relatively solid penalty kill; 81.8%, the 14th best penalty kill in the league.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1191456713607651329

Killing penalties has been a slight issue for the Canes this season, but haven’t cost them as many games as failing to score on the powerplay has.

If the Carolina Hurricanes can manage to convert on a majority of their powerplay chances against Buffalo (23rd best PK in the league at 77.1%), they should be able to build a solid foundation towards a victory tonight. Now, on to the final piece of the puzzle: consistent goaltending.

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