NHL Recap: Buffalo 4, Carolina 1

Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Carolina Hurricanes fell to the Buffalo Sabres by a 4-1 margin at First Niagara Center on Friday.

Coming off a 4-1 win over Edmonton on Wednesday, the Hurricanes (8-11-4) were unable to generate enough offense against Jack Eichel and the Sabres (9-12-2).

The rookie forward scored the eventual game-winning goal at 12:24 of the second period and helped Buffalo end a six-game losing streak.

Hurricanes forward Victor Rask scored his seventh goal of the season, while goaltenders Cam Ward and Eddie Lack made a combined 17 stops.

Ward was credited with the loss after logging 40 minutes of playing time.

Buffalo led 1-0 after the opening period on a goal from defenseman Josh Georges.

Rask tied it up 1-1 early in the second, tucking away a loose puck at the top of Buffalo netminder Chad Johnson’s crease at 4:59.

Eric Staal and Elias Lindholm earned assists on the goal.

Buffalo scored twice during the remainder of the period, and led 3-1 to start the third.

Eichel scored the deciding goal with a wrist shot that beat Ward high to his stick side, his eighth of the season, while Sabres captain Brian Gionta’s redirect hit the right post before bouncing back off the Carolina keeper’s pad and across the goal line.

David Legwand’s second goal of the season was the only puck that got past Lack in his 20 minutes of playing time, and finalized the win for the Sabres with 13:24 remaining in the game.

Carolina now prepares for its next game in New York, where the Hurricanes travel to face the Rangers on Monday.

Boxscore: Buffalo 4, Carolina 1