The Carolina Hurricanes are set to conclude their four-game road trip on Sunday with a matchup against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. ET puck drop and will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network South, the FanDuel Sports Network App, and NHL Network. Fans can also listen to coverage on 99.9 The Fan and the Hurricanes App.
Heading into the contest, the Hurricanes hold a record of 14-5-2, leading the Metropolitan Division with 30 points. Their most recent outing resulted in a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Friday. In that game, Jordan Staal scored twice, Seth Jarvis added a shorthanded goal, and Andrei Svechnikov tallied a power play goal in the third period. Goaltender Brandon Bussi made 24 saves to improve his record to 5-1 in his first six NHL starts.
Forward Andrei Svechnikov is expected to reach a career milestone by playing in his 500th NHL game during Sunday’s match. Selected second overall in the 2018 draft—the first major selection under owner Tom Dundon—Svechnikov’s pick marked a turning point for the organization. He will become only the third player from his draft class to achieve this mark, joining Rasmus Dahlin and Brady Tkachuk.
Nikolaj Ehlers contributed an assist against his former team in his first appearance as a Hurricane since signing with Carolina. Jalen Chatfield also returned after missing seven games due to concussion protocol.
On goaltending duties, Pyotr Kochetkov was originally slated to start Friday but was replaced by Bussi after not feeling well during morning skate. For Sunday’s game, either Frederik Andersen or Kochetkov is likely to start in net.
The Buffalo Sabres come into Sunday’s matchup with an 8-9-4 record and sit eighth in the Atlantic Division with 20 points. They recently posted a commanding 9-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, led by Alex Tuch’s four assists. Despite recent success—winning three of their last four games—the Sabres have struggled at faceoffs this season and allow an average of more than 31 shots per game.
Injury updates for Carolina include forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who left the November 14 game with a lower-body injury that head coach Rod Brind’Amour does not consider long-term. Defenseman Charles Alexis Legault is out for three to four months following surgery for lacerated tendons suffered on November 9. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin remains sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Following Sunday’s contest, Carolina will return home before starting a seven-game homestand beginning Wednesday against the New York Rangers.
The Hurricanes will wear their white uniforms for Sunday’s game.
