The Carolina Hurricanes are on one of those heaters that makes you start checking playoff seeding in mid-January. Honestly, the way they dismantled the Florida Panthers 9-1 on Friday—followed by a clinical 4-1 win over the Devils on Saturday—has the vibes in Raleigh at an all-time high. But the NHL schedule is a relentless beast. There’s no time to admire the standings. The Carolina Hurricanes next game is a weird one: a Monday matinee against the Buffalo Sabres.
Puck drop is set for 1:30 p.m. EST on Monday, January 19, 2026.
If you're working, maybe "take a long lunch" or keep a tab open. This isn't just another regular-season game. It’s a TNT national broadcast, and it’s the Canes’ chance to prove that their recent scoring explosion isn't just a fluke.
The Matchup: Buffalo Sabres vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Rod Brind'Amour's group is currently sitting pretty at the top of the Metropolitan Division with a 30-15-4 record. They’ve got 64 points and a swagger that's hard to miss. Meanwhile, the Sabres are lurking in the Atlantic Division hunt, currently holding a respectable 26-16-4 record.
Buffalo has actually been surprisingly tough this year. They've got 56 points and sit at the top of the Eastern Conference wild-card race. If you haven't been watching them, they're fast. Really fast. But the Canes are the ultimate "system" team. They'll try to suffocate that speed before it even reaches the neutral zone.
Why this game feels different
Most people expect the Canes to just roll over teams right now. Especially after Andrei Svechnikov’s hat trick against the Devils on Saturday.
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He looked possessed.
But afternoon games are notoriously sluggish. Players are out of their rhythm. The morning skate is replaced by a quick meal and a bus ride. If Carolina comes out flat, a hungry Buffalo team led by Tage Thompson—who is always a threat to score from the parking lot—could make things ugly fast.
Injury Report and Roster Shuffles
You can't talk about the Carolina Hurricanes next game without mentioning the M.A.S.H. unit that is their goaltending situation. Pyotr Kochetkov is out for the year after hip surgery. That’s a massive blow. Basically, the weight of the world is on Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen right now.
Bussi has been a revelation. 17 wins already? Nobody saw that coming when he was claimed off waivers. He’s expected to get the nod on Monday since Andersen played the Saturday night game in Jersey.
- William Carrier: He’s been dealing with a lower-body issue. He resumed skating on Jan. 15 but missed the last four games. He's technically day-to-day.
- Shayne Gostisbehere: "Ghost" is the big question mark. He missed the back-to-back set with a lower-body injury. The team hasn't given a firm timeline, but they’re hoping he’s back for the Buffalo game to help the power play.
- Jaccob Slavin: He’s back. He’s healthy. He’s playing 23 minutes a night and making it look like he’s on a Sunday stroll.
The blue line has been bolstered by the recall of Joel Nystrom from the Chicago Wolves (AHL). He might see some sheltered minutes if Gostisbehere can't go.
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What to Watch For on Monday
The chemistry between Sebastian Aho and Svechnikov is reaching "mind-meld" levels. Aho had the primary assist on all three of Svechy's goals against the Devils. It’s scary. They’ve been together for eight years, and right now, they're playing the best hockey of their careers.
Keep an eye on Nikolaj Ehlers too. He had that hat trick against Florida and seems to have found his second wind in this system.
The Canes’ "Home Cookin'" is real. They have 17 wins at the Lenovo Center this season. The fans in Raleigh are loud, even on a Monday afternoon. If the Sabres don't weather the first ten minutes, they might find themselves in a 2-0 hole before they even break a sweat.
Tactical Reality Check
Let’s get nerdy for a second. The Canes lead the league in Corsi-For percentage ($60.5%$). That’s a fancy way of saying they have the puck way more than the other guys.
Against Buffalo, that matters. The Sabres want to trade chances. They want a track meet. Carolina wants a grind. If the Canes can keep the shots-against under 25, they win this game. If it becomes a 40-40 shot parade, it’s a coin flip.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're heading to the Lenovo Center or watching from home, here’s the play:
- Check the Goalie Starter: Monitor the morning skate reports around 10:30 a.m. If Bussi is in the starter's crease, expect a high-energy game.
- Watch the Power Play: If Gostisbehere is out, look for Alexander Nikishin to take more responsibility at the point. He’s got a cannon for a shot.
- Broadcast Info: Since it’s a matinee, it’s on TNT, truTV, and Max. Don't go looking for it on your local regional network; you’ll be disappointed.
The Carolina Hurricanes next game represents more than just two points. It’s about maintaining the lead in the Metro. With the Islanders and Penguins starting to string wins together, the Canes can’t afford a "matinee hangover."
Go get some lunch, settle in, and watch if the Svechnikov-Aho connection can stay red hot.
Track the live line combinations on the official Hurricanes app or follow team insiders like Walt Ruff on social media roughly 30 minutes before the 1:30 p.m. puck drop to see if William Carrier or Shayne Gostisbehere make a surprise return to the lineup.