Sport News : Hurricanes hand Sabres first loss

"There was a lot of excitement and action and banging. Special teams won us the game tonight."

Jeff Skinner scored the game-winning goal on the powerplay with 1:24 remaining in the third period, snapping a one-timer past Sabres goalie Ryan Miller.

Buffalo had tied the score just 57 seconds earlier on a goal by Drew Stafford.

Buffalo took the lead twice in the first period on goals from Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy but Carolina fought back on both occasions through Jay Harrison and Brandon Sutter's shorthanded strike with 12 seconds left in the period.

"We got off to a good start, we were getting pucks to the net, we scored a couple of nice goals, but to give up one that goal late in the period was tough for us," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.

"I think we tried stu pid stuff. We had some good chances on the power play that we didn't put away, but we pushed too hard in some situations where we didn't need to push."

Tim Brent gave the Hurricanes their first lead of the game at 3-2 with a shorthanded goal seven minutes into the second period before Stafford and Skinner scored in the third.

The Sabres had started the season with victories in Europe over the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, while Carolina have won two in a row after starting the season with three defeats.