Carolina @ Buffalo preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 16, 2019 ) Buffalo 2, Carolina 4

The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres started the season as the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference, but recent slides have dropped both clubs into fifth place in their respective divisions. Carolina finally ended a four-game skid in its last contest and has won nine in a row over the slumping Sabres entering Thursday night's matchup in Buffalo.

The Sabres have scored only eight goals during a five-game losing streak after suffering a pair of losses to Atlantic Division rival Tampa Bay in Sweden over the weekend. "It was very unique and a once-in-a-lifetime or whatever you want to call it, but we just lost four points to a divisional opponent so not too much of a success," captain Jack Eichel said. Carolina snapped out of its offensive funk with an 8-2 drubbing of Ottawa on Monday, scoring one more goal than it had in its previous four losses combined. "It was nice to see the puck go in," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "The last couple of weeks, it has just been tough sledding to find the back of the net."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Carolina, MSG-Buffalo

ABOUT THE HURRICANES (10-7-1): Andrei Svechnikov collected two assists Monday and is tied for the team lead with 11. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Svechnikov has nine points in the last eight games and 18 overall -- one behind defenseman Dougie Hamilton's club high. "I think he's comfortable now playing in this league," Brind'Amour said. "I think in his first year, especially the first 45-50 games, he was still figuring it out a little. You're not sure what you can get away with or how you fit in the whole league. Now, he's very comfortable playing against anybody."

ABOUT THE SABRES (9-6-2): Buffalo reshuffled its lineup at Wednesday's practice due to injuries to two-thirds to its No. 2 line -- Marcus Johansson was not available for a second straight day while Vladimir Sobotka (lower body) is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks. "We're going to take a look at (Johansson) tomorrow morning and then make our decision in the morning," coach Ralph Krueger said. "We don't expect it to be long-term. It's really just something we're being careful about." Curtis Lazer was recalled from Rochester (AHL) to take the spot of Sobotka.

OVERTIME

1. Buffalo has been outscored 14-3 in the first period over the past eight games.

2. Hurricanes F Sebastian Aho has five goals in the last six games overall and five in nine games versus Buffalo.

3. Sabres D Marco Scandella (lower body), out since Oct. 24, practiced Wednesday and could rejoin the lineup.

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 4, Sabres 2