The Carolina Hurricanes bring momentum into Buffalo on Sunday, November 23. The Hurricanes sit with a blazing 7-1-2 record in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Sabres continue their playoff desperation fight. Experts heavily favor Carolina at -179 on the moneyline.
🔥 Quick Facts:
Hurricanes sit at 7-1-2 in their last 10 games
Sabres own only 11.2% playoff chances per ESPN
60% win probability favors Carolina by statistical models
Buffalo just crushed Chicago 9-3 but remains inconsistent
Tipoff at 1:00 PM ET on November 23, 2025
Head-to-Head Record: Sabres Hold Historical Edge
The all-time matchup tells an interesting story. Buffalo has dominated historically with a 110-94-18-3 record against Carolina. But this season? That means nothing.
Carolina already owns the season series. They beat Buffalo 1-0 early in 2025-26. More important: the Hurricanes have posted 3-2 wins in their last 5 meetings, showing clear dominance recently. Buffalo can’t rely on past glory here.
The Sabres did enjoy a brief winning period. They’re 3-1 in their last 4 games. But that hot streak started after massive struggles. Getting 9 goals past Chicago on Nov. 21 masks deeper issues that still haunt them.
Hurricanes’ Dominant Form Speaks Volumes
Let’s talk about what makes Carolina so scary right now. A 7-1-2 run over 10 games isn’t luck—it’s elite execution. Seth Jarvis has emerged as the team’s alpha scorer. The young star has 11 goals and 18 points so far this season. He’s absolutely flying.
The Hurricanes sport serious defensive prowess too. They’ve been outscored 10-4 recently but still find ways to win. That’s the mark of a team playing championship-level hockey.
Thing is, Carolina bounced back from an early slump. They already qualified for the playoffs mathematically. But they’re not complacent—this team wants to dominate. Playing an opponent desperate for every point? That’s perfect for a confident team.
Buffalo’s Inconsistency Problem
Metric
Buffalo
Carolina
Overall Record
6-8-4 (16 pts)
7-1-2 latest
Goals Per Game
3.14
3.58
Goals Against Per Game
3.52
Lower defensive pressure
Last 4 Games
3-1 (recent hot streak)
Dominant 7-1-2
Playoff Chances
11.2% per ESPN
Already locked in
Here’s the brutal truth: Buffalo remains problematic. They have the lowest playoff odds in the entire NHL at 11.2%. That means even a win today doesn’t change their trajectory much.
The Sabres are 0-7 on the road—absolutely horrific. They haven’t won a single away game yet. That’s a catastrophic failure pattern. Carolina rolls into Buffalo with serious advantage.
What Betting Markets Say
The wiseguys know something. Check the odds: Dimers gives Carolina a 60% win probability. Forebet slightly favors Buffalo at 52%—basically a coin flip. But moneyline odds tell the real story: -179 for Carolina versus +150 for Buffalo.
That spread matters. Professionals have built models suggesting Carolina dominates. One key angle: Buffalo’s recent 3-1 run doesn’t erase 11 losses in their previous 18 games. This team has massive inconsistency baked into their DNA.
Did you know the Sabres haven’t made the playoffs since 2011? Fourteen years of missing the postseason. That history weighs on mental approach—particularly against elite opponents playing their best hockey.
Can Buffalo Actually Pull the Upset Today?
Get this: the Sabres can absolutely steal this one. They just dropped 9 goals on Chicago. Momentum is real in hockey. Buffalo’s offense is suddenly clicking again.
But here’s the catch: Carolina sits at another level right now. A 7-1-2 stretch doesn’t happen by accident. This team has locked down defensive assignments and championship-level goaltending. Seth Jarvis is performing at star-level production.
The Sabres need to execute a perfect game: limiting chances, winning puck battles, and not giving Carolina their patented power-play opportunities. Sound easy? It’s actually incredibly difficult against a team playing this well. Statistics indicate Carolina should roll, but playoff-desperate Buffalo could find one night of magic.
Sources
ESPN – Playoff projections and team statistics
NHL.com – Official box scores and game previews
StatMuse – Advanced team and player analytics
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.