Game Preview | 5 things to know ahead of Sabres vs. Hurricanes

Dylan Cozens, Mattias Samuelsson, and Tage Thompson are ready to go for tonight's matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes, Sabres coach Don Granato announced.
Thompson was absent from Monday's practice after taking a maintenance day to rest an upper-body injury.
Cozens will return to the lineup after missing Saturday's game in Minnesota with an upper-body injury he sustained against Winnipeg on Thursday. Samuelsson did not play in the last two games due to a lower-body injury.

"I feel good," Samuelsson said. "A couple days off, so I think everybody's bodies have recovered and the energy is high again.
"I'm really excited. The fans here have been awesome. I hope it continues."
After morning skate, Granato reflected on defenseman Rasmus Dahlin's letter to fans.
"That letter was awesome. When I read it, personally, there's a lot behind it because I've seen him grow," Granato said. "I've seen his love for hockey, for his teammates, and for Buffalo."

"The most important thing is this is a player, and in this case, a person, who is authentic. There is nothing manufactured when I read that. That is authentic Rasmus Dahlin.
"We get to see that every day. We know that, and I have the hindsight of that when I go talk to groups like this or anybody. But it's hard for people to grasp or hard for me to convey what this guy is."
Dahlin and the Sabres will be hosting their first-ever Choose Love Night, which will put a spotlight on the Black community and local Black-owned businesses. Tickets are available here. The team will wear custom "Choose Love" jerseys during warmups that will be up for auction tonight at Sabres.com/Auction.
Tonight's game will be nationally televised on TNT at 7:30 p.m. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the radio call on WGR 550.
Here are five things to know.

1. In net

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was just named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for January, is expected to start in goal. He is 13-5-2 this season with a .900 save percentage through his first 20 games.
"It's fun to see that growth," Granato said. "That's one thing you don't plan at the start of the year. You have to have an open mind on a player like Upie and we had an open mind.
"He's shown us that he gained experience from the experiences we put him in last season."

2. Point streaking

The Sabres have earned at least one point in each of their last seven contests (5-0-2).
According to Sabres PR, a point in tonight's game would give them a point streak of eight or more games for the first time since the team earned at least one point in eight straight games from March 18 to April 1, 2022 (5-0-3).

3. Wild card spot

With a win against the Hurricanes, the Sabres can enter the break in the second Wild Card spot.
Buffalo holds a 26-19-4 overall record with 56 points in the campaign, sitting just below Pittsburgh's 57 points.
The Islanders and Panthers are close behind with 55 and 54 points this season, respectively.
Following practice on Monday, Cozens stressed just how important every game is from here.
"As many games as there are left, we know that every game matters and that every point matters," Cozens said. "When the 82nd game is played, we want to be happy looking where we are in the standings.
"So, we know that we can't look too far ahead, but we've got to go out and win every single game we play and know that every point matters."

4. Scouting the Hurricanes

Carolina enters tonight's contest on a six-game win streak, including a 5-4 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
The Hurricanes scored three goals in the third period to overcome a 4-1 deficit and steal the win in the extra frame.
Carolina currently sits atop the Eastern Conference standings with 74 points this season and boasts an 8-1-1 record in its last 10 games.
"They're playing really well. They're top in the league right now," Samuelsson said. "…I think if we play our game, it will limit their chances.
"It will be a good test tonight for the group and I think everybody's excited about it."

5. Looking ahead

Following the game, Buffalo will have time off for the All-Star break, followed by its bye week.
Thompson will represent the Sabres at the NHL All-Star Weekend on Friday and Saturday in Sunrise, Florida.
Yesterday, Thompson shared which part of the experience he is most looking forward to.

After the break, the Sabres will return to the ice on February 9 for practice ahead of their game against the Calgary Flames on February 11 at KeyBank Center. Tickets for that game are on sale now.