Buffalo Sabres vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions April 8th 2025

Thompson Ignites Sabres With Red-Hot Scoring Run

While other NHL stars are stealing headlines, Tage Thompson is quietly torching defenses with a blistering offensive surge. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound center for the Buffalo Sabres has racked up seven goals in his last four games, including a hat trick against the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

That performance brought his season total to 43 goals and 27 assists, giving him 70 points in 70 games—an impressive point-per-game clip.

“He’s the ultimate competitor,” said teammate Alex Tuch. “He wants to be a difference-maker every night, and it’s really easy to follow when you’re playing with a guy like that. Honestly, he’s becoming a superstar.”

This marks the second time in his career that Thompson has topped the 40-goal mark—solidifying his status as a franchise cornerstone.

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Buffalo’s Defensive Focus Paying Off

The Sabres (34-36-6, 74 points) are riding a four-game win streak, thanks to a renewed focus on playing structured, two-way hockey.

“We knew if we just played the right way, the goals would come,” Thompson said. “We’ve proven we can score. It’s about not getting bored playing the right way when you don’t see results right away.”

Buffalo’s current surge, paired with Thompson’s elite finishing, has them within striking distance of a Wild Card spot—an unlikely scenario just weeks ago.

Hurricanes Look to Rebound After Rough Weekend

Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes (46-26-4, 96 points) are second in the Metropolitan Division but have hit a speed bump with back-to-back losses. Their latest setback was a 5-1 defeat to Boston, a game where they struggled to find their footing after a tough end to the first period.

“We started OK, but then gave up a couple goals late in the first,” said coach Rod Brind’Amour. “It just set us back, and we couldn’t get going. We created chances, but their goalie made big saves.”

Despite a late goal by Justin Robidas—a 21-year-old forward playing in just his second NHL game—the Canes couldn’t recover. Robidas, who also tallied an assist in his debut, was reassigned to AHL Chicago the next day.

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Goaltending & Playoff Implications

Frederik Andersen, who had won his previous seven starts, made 21 saves in the loss to the Bruins but couldn’t hold off Boston’s relentless pressure.

The Hurricanes will need a quick turnaround as they aim to secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. For Buffalo, each win is critical as they try to claw back into postseason relevance for the first time since 2011.

What’s Next?

All eyes are now on Tuesday night’s clash between the surging Sabres and a Carolina team desperate to regain momentum. With Thompson in elite form and Buffalo tightening up defensively, it could be a statement game for both squads as the regular season winds down.

Key Stats at a Glance

Takeaways

Carolina needs a bounce-back to stay competitive in the Metropolitan race.

Thompson’s dominance is keeping the Sabres’ playoff hopes alive.

Buffalo’s team defense is finally matching its offensive flair.