Cardiac Cane
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3 keys to get back to winning ways against the Buffalo Sabres

By Conor Power

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the third period of a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on November 18, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 18: Jordan Staal #11 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the third period of a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on November 18, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 13: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 13, 2020, in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 13: Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 13, 2020, in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes have the task of playing the floundering Buffalo Sabres. Carolina is desperate for two points at this moment, and they need to do whatever it takes to see the organization get back to winning ways. Going 1-4-1 in the last 6 is a major concern, and a team like Buffalo coming into PNC Arena could be the perfect antidote before starting another Western road trip.

With an 8-12-3 record and having lost their last 3 on the bounce, the Sabres come into this game with a reputation for incompetence. After having to sell off the face of their franchise for pennies on the dollar due to poor management of an injury sustained last year, Buffalo is trying to rebuild its reputation as much as its roster.  This team is a sitting duck for the Carolina Hurricanes.

We’ve seen the Canes choke games to teams worse than the Sabres, so nothing in this league is for certain, but they will need a victory from this game if they want to be taken seriously as Stanley Cup contenders. It’s not been a great season after their 9-0-0 start, despite now being 15-6-1, they’ve lost more games since their 9 game winning streak than they’ve won and it’s deeply concerning.

When the Canes meet the northern New Yorkers at PNC Arena, they will need to deal with the visitors swiftly and effectively. It’s not a time for the team to mess around and act like they’re going to play a strong defensive game hit back on the counter-charge because they couldn’t do that right now if they wanted to. Dominate the play, dominate the puck, and force the issue on Buffalo.

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