RALEIGH, NC - The Carolina Hurricanes are gearing up for their final home game at PNC Arena before embarking on a challenging road trip to western Canada. Tonight, they will face off against the Buffalo Sabres in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, with fans able to watch the game on Bally Sports South and the Bally Sports App. Alternatively, they can tune in to 99.9 The Fan or use the Hurricanes App to listen to the live broadcast.

Both teams are coming off recent losses, with the Hurricanes falling 5-4 in overtime to the New York Islanders on November 30, and the Sabres suffering a 6-4 defeat at the hands of the St. Louis Blues on the same day.

In their previous meeting this season on November 7, the Hurricanes emerged victorious with a 3-2 win, courtesy of Martin Necas' overtime goal. Carolina will be hoping to replicate that success tonight against the Sabres.

Carolina's Sebastian Aho has been particularly impressive in past matchups against the Sabres, amassing 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 17 regular-season games. This outstanding record makes him the active skater with the highest points per game against Buffalo, among those with at least six games played in that matchup.

The Hurricanes had a stellar performance last December, earning a remarkable 12-0-1 record, including a 10-game winning streak from December 10 to December 30. During that month, they led the NHL in wins, points, points percentage, goals against per game, and shots against per game.

In terms of goaltending, Pyotr Kochetkov had a challenging outing in the previous game, allowing five goals on just 16 shots. This may lead to a start for Antti Raanta, who has been on the sidelines since November 24 after allowing eight goals on 14 shots against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Raanta currently holds a 6-3 record for the season.

Meanwhile, the Sabres, who are concluding a four-game road trip, also faced disappointment in their latest game against the Blues. Despite outshooting their opponents 46-20, they fell short and lost 6-4. Young netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had a tough night, stopping just 14 shots and allowing six goals. Forward JJ Peterka and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin have been standout performers for the Sabres, accumulating 10 points each in the last 11 games.

The Hurricanes are now entering a busy month ahead, with a grueling schedule of 15 games in 28 possible days. This includes their upcoming trip to western Canada and back. The team will also observe the league-mandated holiday break from December 24 to December 26.

It should be noted that goaltender Frederik Andersen remains sidelined indefinitely due to a blood clotting issue, as announced by the team on November 6.

For tonight's game, the Hurricanes will be donning their black sweaters. Fans who wish to commemorate the event can purchase a special commemorative ticket, while a complete uniform schedule for the season is available on the team's website.

Following tonight's game, the Hurricanes will have a practice session on Sunday before heading to Winnipeg for the start of their six-game road trip. As they navigate their way through the challenging schedule, the team will look to maintain their winning form and continue their pursuit of success on the ice.