Kulich scores first goal in 11 months as Sabres edge Blackhawks

Jiri Kulich waited 11 months for this one. He scored the go-ahead goal in the third period Saturday, and the Buffalo Sabres rallied for a 4-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center.

Kulich called for the puck from Owen Power low in the left circle and snapped it short side past Spencer Knight during 4-on-4 play. He had not scored since Oct. 24, 2025, in a 5-3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. A season-ending blood clot limited him to 12 games last year, and his last appearance came Nov. 1. He returned Thursday in Buffalo's 6-3 season-opening loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Sabres (1-1-0) fell behind 2-0 in the first period on goals from Ryan Donato at 7:59 and Tyler Bertuzzi at 11:24. Jack Quinn's wrist shot cut it to 2-1 at 16:24. Tage Thompson tied it at 5:41 of the second period, deflecting a Louis Crevier shot after winning a face-off. Oliver Moore put Chicago back in front 3-2 at 18:18 when his shot from a 2-on-1 rolled through Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's pads.

Rasmus Dahlin tied it 3-3 at 6:10 of the third with a snap shot off the rush, set up by Peyton Krebs. Kulich then scored the winner at 13:20. Thompson finished with a goal and an assist, and Luukkonen made 12 saves. Knight stopped 24 for the Blackhawks, who are 0-3-0.

Chicago played without Bowen Byram because of a family matter.