RALEIGH, N.C. — Mikko Rantanen made a significant impact by scoring one goal and assisting another as the Carolina Hurricanes triumphed over the Buffalo Sabres with a 5-2 victory on Thursday night.
The Hurricanes saw additional goals from Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Taylor Hall, and Seth Jarvis, bouncing back after losing their first two games following the 4 Nations Face-Off league break. Pyotr Kochetkov contributed to the win with 14 crucial saves.
For Buffalo, Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka each found the back of the net, but it was a short night for goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. After allowing two goals within the first eight minutes of the game, Luukkonen was replaced by backup James Reimer, who managed to stop 26 shots.
Rantanen assisted Aho at 7:57, putting Carolina ahead with a 2-0 lead in the opening period. Just a short while later, Rantanen also scored a power-play goal at 9:41, marking his first multipoint performance with the Hurricanes.
By establishing a 3-0 lead and achieving a 17-3 shot advantage, Carolina took control of the game before Tuch reduced the deficit with a goal in the final 56 seconds of the opening period. Peterka’s goal early in the third period brought Buffalo closer, cutting Carolina’s lead to 4-2.
**Observations**
Sabres: Despite a recent improvement with six victories in their last seven games, Buffalo began this contest slowly, leading to an early exit for Luukkonen, as the Hurricanes showed the urgency of a playoff-contending team. Tuch has been on a scoring streak, tallying 10 points, including five goals, over his last eight games.
Hurricanes: Although Taylor Hall had been overshadowed since the three-team trade involving Colorado and Chicago on January 25, he finally netted his first goal with Carolina in nine games.
**Decisive Moment**
Jesperi Kotkaniemi set the energetic tone for the Hurricanes’ first home matchup since February 8 by engaging in a fight with Dylan Cozens immediately after the puck drop.
**Noteworthy Statistic**
The Hurricanes boast an impressive 6-0-3 record while donning their throwback Hartford Whalers uniforms, with Aho leading the team by accumulating 11 points, including eight goals, in these retro jerseys.
**Upcoming Games**
On Saturday night, the Sabres will face off against Montreal on home ice, while the Hurricanes will play host to Edmonton.
