Hurricanes vs Sabres

Sebastian Aho and the Hurricanes ride into Buffalo following a recent 5-3 loss to Detroit, while the surging Sabres enter on a strong four-game win streak that’s kept their postseason hopes alive. The Canes are navigating key absences down the stretch, with both captain Jordan Staal and defenseman Brett Pesce out of the lineup, while the Sabres have been bolstered by the return of top-four defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and winger Jeff Skinner, both of whom have contributed meaningfully during the team’s resurgence. Special teams could be a deciding factor—Carolina’s power play remains among the league’s top 10, but Buffalo's penalty kill has held up well during their current streak. Historically, the Sabres have had trouble containing Carolina’s top forwards, though Teuvo Teräväinen—once a frequent contributor in those matchups—is now back with Chicago. With the postseason already secured for Carolina and Buffalo fighting to stay alive, the motivation gap isn’t as wide as it may seem. While the -190 line reflects Carolina’s season-long strength, it underplays Buffalo’s current momentum and the Canes' recent road dip. We recommend the Hurricanes straight up on the moneyline with a of B-, reflecting a lowered confidence level due to Carolina's injuries and Buffalo’s form, while still recognizing the Canes’ overall edge. Odds and availability are subject to change.

Led by the offensive duo of Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, the Canes come into Buffalo needing a response after a loss to Detroit but still firmly in the playoff mix with seeding implications at stake. Meanwhile, the Sabres are red-hot, riding a four-game win streak that’s kept their postseason hopes alive far longer than expected. Carolina is dealing with injuries to both Brett Pesce and captain Jordan Staal, while Buffalo is back at full strength with the return of Jeff Skinner, bolstering a forward group that’s finding its groove. Tage Thompson has historically performed well against Carolina, with six points in his last five games against the Canes, and his chemistry with Skinner and Dylan Cozens has been clicking. Carolina’s structured attack and special teams advantage could still present challenges, but Frederik Andersen’s road inconsistency, paired with Buffalo’s current momentum and home-ice confidence, makes this a far tighter matchup than the lines suggest. With both teams capable of generating high-danger looks, this game has real potential to go over the total. However, due to Buffalo's surge and Carolina’s key absences, backing the over is the better value than trusting a side. This earns a B+ grade for total goals over 6, offering strong situational upside with a reasonable payout. Odds and availability are subject to change.

Sebastian Aho and the Carolina Hurricanes travel to Buffalo on April 8, and the matchup appears tilted toward the visitors. The Canes have won three of their last six and are still battling for playoff positioning, bringing urgency into this late-season matchup. Meanwhile, the Sabres enter red-hot on a four-game win streak, fighting to stay in the playoff picture with renewed energy and improved goaltending. Buffalo is at full strength, including key blueliner Owen Power, who is active and contributing, while Carolina remains without captain Jordan Staal and top-four defenseman Brett Pesce. The Canes' top unit—Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, now skating alongside different linemates after Teuvo Teräväinen’s return to Chicago—remains a scoring threat, but this group hasn’t dominated the Sabres as recently as previously suggested. Buffalo’s starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has elevated his play of late, posting a .917 save percentage over his last five starts, which contrasts sharply with his career average versus Carolina. Still, with more on the line for Carolina, a better structured defense, and special teams advantage, the Hurricanes remain in a strong position to cover the puckline at +135. Though the odds aren't outrageous, the Hurricanes’ overall depth and playoff motivation make this a high-value, medium-risk play with a solid chance to cash. Odds and availability are subject to change.