Right from puck drop the Carolina Hurricanes dominated the Buffalo Sabres. Four seconds in, Jesperi Kotkaniemi fought Dylan Cozens, and the crowd went into a frenzy. Cozens explained what happened, “It was his idea.

The Hurricanes scored three first-period goals in a span of 3:32, and though the Sabres had opportunities to rally, their power play failed them in a 5-2 loss at Lenovo Center.

The reeling Hurricanes came home desperately needing to find a way forward. A fight and two early goals — and a two-point night from Mikko Rantanen — did the trick in a 5-2 win over the Sabres.

The Hurricanes jumped out an early lead on Thursday and never looked back. Before the halfway point of the first period Carolina had a 3-0 lead.

Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2. 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.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night. Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Taylor Hall and Seth Jarvis ...

The Carolina Hurricanes took advantage during one of the Sabres' worst first periods this season. The Sabres could not recover in a 5-2 loss Thursday in Raleigh, N.C.

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.

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.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Thursday night. Jordan Staal, Sebastian Aho, Taylor Hall and Seth Jarvis ...