BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich had a goal and two assists centering the top line in Tuesday night’s 3-2 comeback win on the road against the Vancouver Canucks.
Kulich tipped in JJ Peterka’s shot for the tying goal at 8:42 into the third period. Then after winning a face-off in the offensive zone, Kulich had the secondary assist on Peterka’s winning goal with 6:27 remaining in the period.
The 20-year-old Kulich, who returned to Buffalo’s lineup for this road trip after missing four games with a lower-body injury, also assisted on Tage Thompson’s 21st of the season that put the Sabres ahead in the first period.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves, including three in the final 20 seconds after the Canucks pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker.
Rasmus Dahlin tallied had two assists and along with top pair defenseman Bowen Byram had a plus-3 rating.
Peterka moved up to the top line with Jason Zucker scratched due to illness. Kulich has been the top centerman for two games since Ryan McLeod was placed on short-term injured reserve.
Halting a two-game skid to improve to 7-5-1 in 13 games since their 13-game winless streak, the Sabres play at Calgary on Thursday night before concluding their road trip Saturday in Edmonton.