The Carolina Hurricanes looked to continue momentum from a shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 12 into a matchup with the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 15. This would be the first winning streak for the Canes in December. Moreover, the meeting with the Sabres ends a six-game road trip, the longest of the season for Carolina.
Meanwhile, the Sabres came off a one goal loss to a Metropolitan Division opponent in the Philadelphia Flyers. With the Canes and Flyers both gaining some steam right now, the Metro is getting extremely competitive.
Cam Ward got the nod for the Canes while Chad Johnson started for the Sabres.