Pregame analysis and predictions of the Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres NHL game to be played on March 1, 2025 on ESPN.

Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night at Raleigh, N.C., winning for only the second time in the past seven games.

Where do the Buffalo Sabres go from here? Heading into a Thursday night game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Sabres have won six of their last seven games and seven of their last 10. But their playoff chances are still hovering around 2 percent,

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The reeling Hurricanes came home desperately needing to find a way forward. A fight and two early goals — and a two-point night from Mikko Rantanen — did the trick in a 5-2 win over the Sabres.

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The Hurricanes scored three first-period goals in a span of 3:32, and though the Sabres had opportunities to rally, their power play failed them in a 5-2 loss at Lenovo Center.

Immediately after the opening puck drop in the first period, Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens and Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi dropped their gloves and began exchanging some big punches.

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