Kulich Sparks Sabres In Home Opener

Buffalo Sabres forward Juri Kulich made his presence felt in the club’s home opener against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night at KeyBank Center. 

The 22-year-old center netted the winning goal in the club’s 4-3 come-from-behind victory. 

Just a year ago, Kulich’s future in hockey was in doubt when he was diagnosed with a blood clot, which sidelined the Czech native for all but twelve games in 25-26. 

Coming into the 2026-2027 campaign, a significant question for the Sabres was the health of Kulich and if he would be able to regain the form and the promise he had shown prior to missing nearly an entire year of hockey. Kulich answered the question by helping his team notch its first win of the young season. 

I’m so happy for him, “ said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. “He was so frustrated late last year. Watching us in the playoffs, not being able to be part of it. He was getting his career underway; that last like twenty games the year before. Having a huge setback. He spent a lot of time this summer trying to get his body and just his hockey back in the right place. He could have won it just before that, missed that opportunity, got a second opportunity, and put it in the back of the net. Then he went out late and won a big faceoff for us.”

“I think he embraces the fact he’s playing right now,” continued Ruff. “That could have gone any direction.”

Sabres Need Kulich To Contribute Offensively

The return of a healthy Kulich is great news for a Sabres team looking for goal-scoring contributions. 

The departure of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram has left a loss of offensive production in the Buffalo lineup. Sabres management is looking for internal help to provide scoring. 

For Kulich, Saturday night was the next step in a year of healing and hard work as he strives to make a difference for the Sabres. 

“That was probably the main thing I was dreaming about the whole year, not playing, “ said Kulich. 

“It was a lot of emotions. It was great to be back to score a goal. Feel it again, feel the crowd again. It was kind of like a dream. That was really nice.” 

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