The Buffalo Sabres will end their four-game homestand with a game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo recently secured a 9-3 victory over Chicago, equaling the highest goal total in an NHL game this season. In that match, 14 different Sabres players earned points, and nine recorded multiple points.
Tage Thompson is currently on a five-game goal streak, matching his career best. If he scores against the Hurricanes, he will be the first Sabres player to net goals in six consecutive games since Jason Pominville achieved the feat in 2006.
Sunday’s game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Local television coverage will air on MSG starting at 12:30 p.m., while out-of-market viewers can watch via NHL Network or stream through the Gotham Sports App and ESPN+. The radio broadcast will be available on WGR 550 and the Buffalo Sabres App.
Jason Zucker returned to play in the win over Chicago after missing eight games due to illness. He contributed one goal and two assists. Zach Benson is coming off injured reserve for his first appearance since October 30, replacing Isak Rosen, who was assigned to Rochester earlier Sunday. Defenseman Bowen Byram participated in warmups and is expected to play despite lingering effects from a collision with the boards during Friday’s game.
Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson both have four-game point streaks entering Sunday’s matchup. Since returning from personal leave on November 15, Dahlin has tallied seven assists, helping Buffalo achieve a 3-1-0 record during that stretch. Samuelsson has posted three goals and two assists over his streak; his five goals this season are already a career high and place him tied for sixth among NHL defensemen.
The last meeting between these teams took place in Carolina on November 8, when the Hurricanes defeated Buffalo 6-3. The Sabres played that game without Dahlin, Zucker, and Benson. Carolina has continued its strong performance since then with a 7-1-2 record over its last ten games. The Hurricanes lead the league in shots per game (33.9) and rank second in goals scored per game (3.62).
Sebastian Aho leads Carolina with 21 points this season and recorded both a goal and an assist in their previous matchup against Buffalo. In his career against the Sabres, Aho has registered 17 goals and 31 points across 23 games.
