The Buffalo Sabres (26-16-5) face the Carolina Hurricanes (30-15-4) in a cross-division matchup between two teams trending in opposite directions. The Sabres, fourth in the Atlantic, have won four of their last five and boast one of the league’s top offenses (3.68 goals per game), led by Tage Thompson’s scoring prowess. The Hurricanes, first in the Metropolitan, have won three straight and rank among the NHL’s elite in possession metrics, allowing just 2.65 goals per game. This game at Lenovo Center pits Buffalo’s high-octane attack against Carolina’s stifling defense, though injuries could play a role. Expect a fast-paced, low-scoring affair with the Hurricanes leveraging home ice for a narrow victory.
Venue Location
Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina. This 18,700-seat arena, home to the Hurricanes since 1999, is known for its raucous “Caniacs” and has helped Carolina achieve a top home record (17-8-1 this season).
Puckdrop is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m. PT, 1:30 p.m. local time in Raleigh). The game will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max nationally, with local radio on WGR 550 (Sabres) and 99.9 The Fan (Hurricanes).
Recent Team Forms
The Sabres have been hot, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 with a +12 goal differential, including four straight wins before a recent OT loss. The Hurricanes are 7-3-0 in their last 10 with a +18 differential, dominating at home.
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last 10 games:
| Date | Opponent | Result (Sabres) | Score |
| Jan 17 | vs. MIN | L (OT) | 4-5 |
| Jan 15 | vs. OTT | W | 5-3 |
| Jan 14 | vs. PHI | W | 5-2 |
| Jan 12 | vs. DET | L | 3-4 |
| Jan 10 | vs. ANA | W | 5-3 |
| Jan 8 | @ NYR | W | 5-2 |
| Jan 6 | vs. VAN | W | 5-3 |
| Jan 3 | @ CBJ | L | 1-5 |
| Jan 1 | vs. FLA | W | 3-1 |
| Dec 30 | vs. TBL | W | 4-2 |
Overall: 7-2-1 in last 10 ( +18 point differential).
| Date | Opponent | Result (Hurricanes) | Score |
| Jan 17 | @ NJD | W | 4-1 |
| Jan 16 | vs. FLA | W | 9-1 |
| Jan 13 | vs. STL | L | 0-3 |
| Jan 12 | vs. DET | L (OT) | 3-4 |
| Jan 10 | vs. SEA | W | 3-2 |
| Jan 8 | vs. NYR | W | 5-2 |
| Jan 6 | vs. DAL | W | 6-3 |
| Jan 3 | vs. COL | L | 3-5 |
| Jan 1 | vs. MTL | L | 5-7 |
| Dec 30 | @ BOS | W | 4-3 |
Overall: 7-3-0 in last 10 ( +18 goal differential).
Injury Report
Buffalo Sabres:
Justin Danforth (RW): Out (undisclosed).
Joshua Norris (C): Day-to-Day (upper-body) – Week-to-week, will not travel with team.
Alex Lyon (G): Out (undisclosed).
Conor Timmins (D): Out (undisclosed).
Josh Dunne (RW): Out (undisclosed).
Jiri Kulich (C): Out (ear).
Carolina Hurricanes:
Charles-Alexis Legault (D): Out (hand).
Noah Philp (C): Out (concussion) – Expected out until at least Jan 24.
Shayne Gostisbehere (D): Day-to-Day (illness).
William Carrier (LW): Day-To-Day (undisclosed).
Pyotr Kochetkov (G): Out for season (undisclosed).
Key
Player Matchups
Injuries impact both sides, with Carolina’s blue line thinned and Buffalo missing depth forwards and a goalie.
Tage Thompson (BUF F) vs. Sebastian Aho (CAR F): Thompson leads Sabres with 32 goals; Aho (multi-point games recently) counters with playmaking.
Rasmus Dahlin (BUF D) vs. Andrei Svechnikov (CAR F): Dahlin (8 goals, top defenseman) anchors blue line; Svechnikov (hat trick in last game) brings power.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF G) vs. Frederik Andersen (CAR G): Luukkonen (2.78 GAA) vs. Andersen (2.45 GAA, strong home form).
JJ Peterka (BUF F) vs. Martin Necas (CAR F): Peterka’s speed vs. Necas’ scoring touch.
Other keys: Carolina’s power play (25.8%, top-5) vs. Buffalo’s penalty kill (78.2%, middle-pack). Sabres’ offense could exploit Hurricanes’ injured D.
Series History
The Sabres lead the all-time series 112-97 with 18 draws (227 games). Buffalo is 3-2-0 in the last 5 meetings. Carolina has won 97 games overall, with the series even in recent seasons (Buffalo 6-7-1 in 2020s). At home, Carolina is 58-45-11 vs. Sabres. Unders have hit in 4 of the last 6, averaging 5.8 goals.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Hurricanes 5-5 ATS in last 10; Sabres 6-4 ATS as underdogs.
Over/Under: Set at 6.5 (-114 over / -106 under). Over is 4-1 in Hurricanes’ last 5 home games; under is 5-1 in Sabres’ last 6 road tilts.
Other Trends: Hurricanes 8-2 SU in last 10 home; Sabres 7-2-1 in last 10 overall. Carolina 17-2 SU as -200 favorites; Buffalo 4-6 ATS on road.
Game Odds
Buffalo Sabres 6.5
Carolina Hurricanes – 205
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 18, 2026
