Jiri Kulich played a pivotal role for the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, contributing a goal and two assists as the team defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2.
JJ Peterka also made an impact, scoring a goal and assisting on another, while Tage Thompson netted his 21st goal of the season, leading the team in scoring. Rasmus Dahlin recorded two assists in the match.

In goal, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was solid for Buffalo, stopping 32 shots in a bounce-back performance following a 6-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken the previous night.
For the Canucks, Elias Pettersson and Phillip Di Giuseppe, who scored his first goal of the season, each found the net. Thatcher Demko turned away 23 shots in a valiant effort but could not secure the victory.

Adding to the Canucks’ challenges, defenseman Tyler Myers was serving the first game of a three-game suspension stemming from a cross-checking incident involving Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard during a recent matchup.

In light of Myers’ absence, Mark Friedman was called up from the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks and made his return to the NHL after a lengthy break since December 14. Friedman, paired with team captain Quinn Hughes, logged 15 minutes of ice time in the game.
On the Sabres’ side, veteran winger Jason Zucker missed the matchup due to illness after having played a key role in Seattle with a goal and an assist.
Consequently, Buffalo opted for a lineup that featured 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

A crucial moment in the game occurred when Dahlin made a sharp pass across the faceoff circle, allowing Peterka to unleash a powerful shot that slipped under Demko’s pads, clinching the winning goal at 13:33 of the third period.

Statistically, the Canucks have struggled to find consistent success, as they have not secured back-to-back wins since December 1, posting a record of 7-9-7 since then.
Looking ahead, the Sabres will face the Calgary Flames on Thursday, while the Canucks will travel to play the Edmonton Oilers on the same day.