Buffalo Sabres TRACKING DOWN Hurricanes for first place in the Eastern Conference

While the Buffalo Sabres have been hot, the Carolina Hurricanes have been playing .500 hockey, allowing the Sabres to catch up to them for first place in the Eastern Conference. What will the the Sabres need to finish above the Hurricanes? Finishing in first place would give the Sabres home ice advantage through the entire East playoffs, and would decrease the odds of a playoff matchup with Montreal in the first roun