The Buffalo Sabres are pinned to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with the trade deadline approaching. While this core got close to the playoffs the last two seasons, they have fallen dramatically this season.

The Hurricanes scored three first-period goals in a span of 3:32, and though the Sabres had opportunities to rally, their power play failed them in a 5-2 loss at Lenovo Center.

Immediately after the opening puck drop in the first period, Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens and Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi dropped their gloves and began exchanging some big punches.

Henri Jokiharju scored 9:31 into the third period to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch also scored and Dylan Cozens had three assists for Buffalo.

Cozens notched three assists in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Ducks. All three helpers came in the third period as the Sabres erased a 2-0 deficit. Cozens hasn't been able to make a consistent contribution to the offense this season -- his longest point streak is just two games -- but he's been reasonably productive over the last month,

The Flames are looking at Sabres center Dylan Cozens as a potential trade deadline addition amid their surprising playoff chase

Dylan Cozens' three assists powered Buffalo's third-period rally.

Henri Jokiharju scored 9:31 into the third period to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch also scored and Dylan Cozens had three assists for Buffalo.

Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) is stopped by Anaheim Ducks center Isac Lundestrom (21) and goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday,

Henri Jokiharju scored 9:31 into the third period to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 win against the Ducks on Tuesday night. JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch also scored and Dylan Cozens had three assists for Buffalo.

Denver, Colorado, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) celebrates his goal with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) and center Dylan Cozens (24) and center Tage Thompson (72) in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.

The past two years in Buffalo have tested Dylan Cozens’ resolve and challenged him to find the scoring touch that he has shown everywhere he's been.