Less than a year ago, the Buffalo Sabres weren't sure whether Jiri Kulich would ever play in the NHL again while he navigated the early stages of his recovery from a blood clot. On Saturday night, he scored the game-winning goal in a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
"It was a lot of emotions," Kulich told reporters. "It was great to be back, to score a goal and just feel it again, feel the crowd again. Yeah, it was kind of like a dream."
The Sabres brought the 2022 first-round pick along slowly throughout training camp, often having him skate on the fourth line with limited work on special teams. It was understandable given he hadn't played a competitive game in nearly 11 months.
It's quickly become clear he's ready for more responsibility.
Kulich doesn't look like he's missed a beat and his confidence, always a hallmark of his game, hasn't wavered, as he firmly tapped his stick on the ice to grab the attention of Owen Power, who delivered a perfect pass to the young forward for the winning tally against Chicago.
Welcome back, Jiri Kulich! 💙#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/ggXw81Vhfs
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 4, 2026
Buffalo is only two contests into an 84-game schedule, but it already feels like he's putting his name in the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy discussion. It's an NHL award given to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication" to hockey.
"I'm so happy for him," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said. "He was so frustrated late last year, watching us in the playoffs, not being able to be part of it. … I think he embraces the fact that he's playing right now; that [blood clot] could have gone any direction."
Team captain Rasmus Dahlin added: "It's unbelievable. It's hard to put into words how much he's been grinding and how much he's really been around and wanting this. So, I'm just super happy for him just being able to play hockey again."
Kulich has spoke about being disappointed he couldn't take part in the Sabres' remarkable turnaround last season, which led to the franchise's first playoff appearance in 15 years.
The Czechia native is making up for lost time, and his instant impact offensively is certainly a boost as Buffalo faced questions about how it'd replace the lost production of Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram, two key members of the 2025-26 squad traded over the summer.
Kulich had just started to flash some serious NHL potential when the health issue arose. Getting him back on that fast track toward stardom would be a great sign for the Sabres.
For now, his teammates are just happy he's healthy and back on the ice competing alongside them again.
Meanwhile, let's dive into the latest edition of our Sabres player grades series after the triumph over the Hawks.
Buffalo Sabres secure first win of the season with comeback vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Sabres Player Grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Jack Quinn | 9 |
Rasmus Dahlin | 8.5 |
Jiri Kulich | 8.5 |
Tage Thompson | 8 |
Peyton Krebs | 7.5 |
Owen Power | 7.5 |
Zach Benson | 7 |
Noah Ostlund | 7 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 7 |
Konsta Helenius | 6.5 |
Josh Norris | 6.5 |
Olen Zellweger | 6.5 |
Josh Norris | 6 |
Zach Metsa | 6 |
Louis Crevier | 5.5 |
Ryan McLeod | 4.5 |
Sam Carrick | 4 |
Beck Malenstyn | 3.5 |
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | 3 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Jack Quinn
Make it two straight finishes atop the grade book for Jack Quinn. The winger often looked like the Sabres' best player in training camp, and he's parlayed that into a terrific start to the regular season, highlighted by an improved two-way compete level.
The 25-year-old winger's confidence was on full display on his goal late in the first period as he won an one-on-one battle nearly the blue line, skated into the top of the slot and ripped a wrist shot past Chicago goaltender Spencer Knight for Buffalo's first goal of the game.
Quinner staying HOT to start the season! 💥#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/z3Zh3t5BKM
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 3, 2026
He'll continue to receive more opportunities — he's already started to receive time on the top power-play unit — as long as he's playing at this level. Perhaps he's finally going to put everything together to produce the 30-goal campaign the Sabres have been waiting on.
Of course, the better Quinn plays throughout the 2026-27 season, the more he'll cost to retain next offseason as a restricted free agent.
Sabres Quick Hits
- Buffalo's power play remains virtually useless. It failed to convert any of its three opportunities against the Blackhawks after an 0-for-5 showing in the season opener, a 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The coaching staff must find solutions. Fast.
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a .784 save percentage through two games. Colten Ellis should start Tuesday's clash with the Minnesota Wild as Alex Lyon continues to recover from an injury.
- Tage Thompson played better against Chicago, including his first goal of the campaign, but his high rate of turnovers remains a problem. He needs to protect the puck with more ferocity.
- Is a true Owen Power breakout season underway? It's starting to feel that way.
- A solid Sabres debut for Olen Zellweger.
- Ryan McLeod is playing himself toward no man's land within Buffalo's forward group with Jason Zucker expected to return in the coming weeks. He's failed to make much of an impact so far.
- The Sabres and Wild are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start Tuesday night at the KeyBank Center.
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