With the NHL’s Eastern Conference tightening up, the Hurricanes went into Sunday’s game just six points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings, who held the second wild-card playoff spot.

For the fifth time this season, center Sebastian Aho scored the overtime-winning goal. He now ties the record for the most overtime-winning goals in a season.

Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) and Calgary Flames defenseman Joel Hanley (44) fight during the third period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn

Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night at Raleigh, N.C., winning for only the second time in the past seven games.

If Bruins’ GM Don Sweeney wasn’t inclined to completely blow up his team before Thursday’s game in Carolina, then what transpired at Lenovo Center might have had him reaching for the detonator. The Bruins finished the pre-trade deadline portion of their season with one of their best road efforts since the Christmas break only to lose in a typically,

Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Taylor Hall and Seth Jarvis also scored for Carolina, which had lost its first two games after the league break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Pyotr Kochetkov made 14 saves.

Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Taylor Hall and Seth Jarvis also scored for Carolina, which had lost its first two games after the league break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. Pyotr Kochetkov made 14 saves. Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka scored for Buffalo but it was a ...

Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall and Seth Jarvis all tallied goals for the Hurricanes while Pyotr Kochetkov made 13 saves in net. After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind ...

Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka scored goals for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made five saves on seven shots in 7:57 before giving way to James Reimer, who stopped 27 of 29 shots in relief. Carolina - the NHL's best team in terms of shot-attempt percentage - led 36-16 in shots on goal.

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 Thursday night at Lenovo Center on Whalers Night. Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall and Seth Jarvis all tallied goals for the Hurricanes while Pyotr Kochetkov made 13 saves in net.