New Hero Emerges as Sabres Surge Back in Overtime Victory Over Ducks

We have a new overtime hero, and his name is Jiri Kulich. The Buffalo Sabres stormed back from a late second-period 2-0 deficit to defeat the Anaheim Ducks, 3-2 in overtime. It gives the Sabres four out of a possible four points on the California road trip heading into Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks.

Drew Helleson got the Ducks on the board first on a screened point shot that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen never saw. Isac Lundestrom made it 2-0 Anaheim just over 14 minutes into the second period, making the outcome look grim for Buffalo.

Alex Tuch deflected a shot that Peyton Krebs and a Ducks defender swept in simultaneously to get the Sabres on the board with under a minute and a half remaining in the second. Less than a minute later, Jason Zucker scored on a breakaway to shockingly even things up heading into the second intermission.

A scoreless third meant the Sabres earned at least a point heading into overtime. A relentless sequence by Tuch saw the puck squeak out to Kulich, who put the puck past a sprawling John Gibson for the game-winner.

Jiri Kulich

The move to playing center has looked seamless for Kulich, whose speed and transition game is more evident down the middle. The overtime finish was the icing on the cake for what was a great performance all game.

Kulich’s line with Jack Quinn and Jason Zucker was Buffalo’s best, before and after the line shuffling by head coach Lindy Ruff. Zucker seems to have the magic potion for making Sabres lines potent, but Kulich deserves a lot of credit as well.

The growing opportunity and improvement from Buffalo’s top prospect is making it increasingly evident that Kulich belongs on the Sabres, not the Rochester Americans.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Luukkonen’s been stellar in both games back from injury. His hot streak really dates back to the three wins prior to the game against the Montreal Canadiens in which he played dealing with an ailment. It appears the Finnish netminder has regained his form from his peak last season, as he’s quickly rising up the ranks in goals-saved above expected.

Per Evolving-Hockey, he adds another 1.62 tonight in that department.

Related: What You Missed from Sabres’ Shutout Win Over Kings

Bowen Byram Settling In

For all of the early-season criticism Bowen Byram received based on his struggles, the defender has found a home on the Sabres’ top pair with Rasmus Dahlin. Former Sabres forward Casey Mittelstadt produced well for the Colorado Avalanche early on, adding to the perception.

Byram and Dahlin are proving to be huge offensive threats from the backend, driving play up the ice and creating dangerous chances. They’re pinning opponents into the defensive zone as well, which is wearing on some of the top competition wearing the other team’s crest.

With Owen Power also leading all defensemen in the NHL in five-on-five scoring, the Sabres have formed one of the most dangerous trios of offensive defensemen around the league.

More Sabres: Reevaluating Sabres Offseason Moves: Jeff Skinner Buyout

BHN Cast

In case you missed it, Chris Ostrander from The Instigator Podcast joined me during the latest BHN Cast. We chatted in-depth about goalies, Sabres moves, and more during the first period of the game Friday night.