Hurricanes complete home and home set with the Buffalo Sabres

Last time out, the Carolina Hurricanes put a performance on that was just unacceptable. With the Hurricanes’ struggles of late dragging them back into the fight for the Metropolitan Division title, they need to get back to winning ways and open up the gap between them and the chasing pack again as they seek to win the Metropolitan Division title for the first time.

With some help from the Dallas Stars, the Carolina Hurricanes’ magic number for mathematical qualification for the Stanley Cup playoffs is just two. Simply put, beat the Sabres and you will have your playoff place confirmed. They had the chance in the last game and they blew it because they were just unacceptable. They get a chance to correct that tonight against the same opponent they didn’t turn up against last time.

Against Buffalo, Carolina had too many defensive lapses and the only forward line that showed up was the third line. It was a very difficult game to watch from the perspective of a fan. As we go back to see the team in PNC Arena where they have been on a different level, this is a game Carolina cannot lose. That can’t be stressed enough. During the final games warming up for the playoffs, you cannot be losing to the Buffalo Sabres.

This is the first of a back-to-back for the Hurricanes, and it’s the penultimate back-to-back of the season. With the New York Islanders already waiting for the team in Raleigh, this game against the Sabres has all the more importance. Anything less than two points from this one is outright unacceptable given the recent run of results from the organization. It’s getting worse and they need to steady the ship.

We saw some unique combinations in the forward core towards the end of that game in Northern New York, so as for who draws back in, your guess is as good as mine. At the time of being written, we have no idea who will play and who will sit out for this one. I could guess which goalie it might be but again at this moment, it’s pure speculation.

Question for Cardiac Cane Readers: What do you think the score will be tonight?