Sabres visit the Hurricanes in Eastern Conference action #Sabres #visit #Hurricanes #Eastern #Conference #action

Buffalo Sabres (10-11-2, sixth in the Atlantic Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (13-8-1, second in the Metropolitan Division)

Raleigh, North Carolina; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes and the Buffalo Sabres square off in Eastern Conference action.

Carolina is 13-8-1 overall and 7-2-1 in home games. The Hurricanes are eighth in NHL play with 74 total goals (averaging 3.4 per game).

Buffalo has a 5-6-2 record in road games and a 10-11-2 record overall. The Sabres have a -9 scoring differential, with 68 total goals scored and 77 given up.

The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams play this season. The Hurricanes won 3-2 in overtime in the previous meeting.

TOP PERFORMERS: Sebastian Aho has scored six goals with 14 assists for the Hurricanes. Michael Bunting has two goals and five assists over the past 10 games.

Casey Mittelstadt has four goals and 16 assists for the Sabres. John-Jason Peterka has five goals and five assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 6-3-1, averaging 3.3 goals, six assists, 2.8 penalties and 6.1 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.

Sabres: 4-5-1, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.7 assists, 3.2 penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.

INJURIES: Hurricanes: Frederik Andersen: out (blood clotting).

Sabres: Zemgus Girgensons: out (lower body), Jack Quinn: out (achilles), Tage Thompson: out (upper-body).