Buffalo, NY – Fifty-seven seconds after the Carolina Hurricanes coughed up their lead, Jeff Skinner got it right back and spoiled Buffalo's home opener.
Skinner scored on a power play with 1:24 remaining to lift the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win over the Sabres on Friday night in a game that went quiet for more than a period and a half before a sudden burst of offense at the end.
Drew Stafford tied the game for Buffalo with 2:41 left, scoring in close after the puck took a weird bounced off the end boards, but Thomas Vanek was called for tripping with exactly two minutes left to set up Skinner's game-winner on a shot from the right circle.
It was the third special teams goal for the Hurricanes after Brandon Sutter and Tim Brent both scored shorthanded earlier in the game. Jay Harrison also scored and Cam Ward had 39 saves as Carolina won its second straight game after starting the season with three losses (0-2-1).
The Sabres, who opened with two wins in Europe last weekend, took their first loss. Vanek and Derek Roy scored and Ryan Miller allowed four goals on 34 shots.
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