Surging Sabres out to extend Hurricanes' tough stretch

The Carolina Hurricanes have taken a detour, but there's time to get back on track for a team that has been one of the most difficult to face over the past few seasons.

Experiencing a challenging period of transition, the Canes will be looking for a reset of sorts when the Buffalo Sabres visit Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday night.

"If you look at the identity of our team, it has definitely changed in the last couple of weeks," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We've changed the way that we play a little bit and that's no knock on the guys that we brought in, they're great players, but we have to remember how we play the game. I think we've changed a little bit and it's clearly not working."

The Hurricanes will need to cash in on their return home. They have lost five of their last six, including the last four road games.

Even with the reduced February schedule, it's startling that Carolina has only one win since January.

In the meantime, the Sabres have won six of their last seven. With four victories and one loss in February, Buffalo is 2-0 -- with home wins over the New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks -- since the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

But the Sabres, who had about half their roster participate in Wednesday's optional practice, are winless in their last 10 games (0-8-2) in Raleigh.

"They get a lead and their puck pressure probably (makes them) the best team in the league of making sure they spend the least amount of time in their own end," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff is seeking upgraded grittiness in gaining puck possession.

"That's something that we're going to have to do a better job on the road," he said.

Carolina's emphasis is bound to be on creating better starts. The Hurricanes have recently faced numerous first-period deficits.

"We're starting off games down a couple, and chasing is never a recipe for success," Carolina captain Jordan Staal said. "I just don't think we're defending well enough. We're kind of hoping to outscore teams and hoping to out-chance teams."

The Hurricanes have been shutout victims twice across their last five games.

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has started four games this month. He has given up eight goals over his last two road appearances, both losses.

Luukkonen made 35 saves in a Jan. 15 home victory against Carolina.

Based on Carolina's goalie rotation, it will be Pyotr Kochetkov's turn Thursday night.

Kochetkov has allowed 10 goals across his three February outings, which includes two losses. Fortunately for the Hurricanes, he is 4-0-1 over his last four home games. He didn't play in the loss at Buffalo.

The Hurricanes used an 11-forward, seven-defenseman lineup in Tuesday night's 4-0 loss at Montreal, though defenseman Riley Stillman logged less than two minutes of ice time.

Thursday's game is part of an annual Whalers throwback night. The franchise, which had been the Hartford Whalers, relocated from Connecticut to North Carolina in 1997.

The teams will meet again on April 8 in Buffalo.

--Field Level Media