The Sabres got a fourth goal in the third period to ice the game — despite not recording a shot on net in the entire period, an NHL first.

With a rare 6:00 pm start time, the Hurricanes arrived late to the game and Buffalo did not. The Hurricanes didn’t really get to their game until the third and Buffalo took advantage, getting a three-goal lead before the final frame.

At the end of 40 minutes it was 3-0 and Buffalo got trapped in their end for most of the third. Buffalo got outshot 8-0 and I’d be surprised if they had 60 seconds inside the Carolina zone.

BUFFALO -- Ryan McLeod got his first NHL hat trick in a 4-2 win for the Buffalo Sabres against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center on Wednesday. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 34 saves and Dylan Cozens scored for the Sabres (17-22-5), who are 6-3-1 since a 13-game losing streak (0-10-3).

Ryan McLeod scored two goals and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. Dylan Cozens and Tage Thompson also scored and Jason Zucker had two assists for the Sabres, who won for the third time in four games.

Ryan McLeod scored his first-career hat trick and the Buffalo Sabres held on for 4-2 win against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Dylan Cozens also scored for the Sabres, who have won three of four.