BUFFALO, N.Y. – Cody McCormick provided the punch — both physical and offensive — the Buffalo Sabres needed in bouncing back from a dreadful loss.

The checking-line journeyman scored the go-ahead goal, got into a fight and drew a key penalty in a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night. The victory came two days after the Sabres squandered a two-goal lead in a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia, and it came against a surging opponent that is immediately ahead of Buffalo in the Eastern Conference standings.

Whatever it takes, McCormick said.

“It’s not something you say before a game that you want to go out and fight. You just kind of go with it,” he said. “First and foremost, you want to help the team any way you can. If it’s a goal, assist or a fight, it’s something you’ve got to be able to bring.”

Drew Stafford and Nathan Gerbe also scored to help Buffalo improve to 5-1-1 in its past seven games. Thomas Vanek had two assists and Ryan Miller made 27 saves.

RANGERS 1, CANUCKS 0: Wojtek Wolski scored his first goal as a Ranger, Henrik Lund-qvist made 31 saves and New York sent Vancouver to its first regulation loss in 18 games.

The NHL-leading Canucks hadn’t lost before overtime since Dec. 5. Wolski, acquired this week from Phoenix for defenseman Michal Rozsival, knocked in a rebound on the power play at 7:18 of the second period.

PANTHERS 3, PREDATORS 2: David Booth broke a tie with 4:12 left and Florida held on to beat visiting Nashville, snapping the Predators’ winning streak at six games.

Rostislav Olesz had a goal and an assist for Florida.

SENATORS 6, ISLANDERS 4: Robin Lehner made 20 saves in his first NHL start to help visiting Ottawa snap a six-game winless streak.

Daniel Alfredsson, Jesse Winchester, Milan Michalek, Chris Kelly, Nick Foligno and Zack Smith scored for Ottawa.

COYOTES 5, MAPLE LEAFS 1: Shane Doan scored the first of four third-period goals as Phoenix won at Glendale, Ariz.

NOTES: Dallas traded left wing Fabian Brunnstrom to Toronto for right wing Mikhail Stefanovich in an exchange of minor-league players. Phoenix recalled forward Mikkel Boedker from its AHL affiliate in San Antonio.