Buffalo boosted by return of forward who overcame blood clot complications
Jiri Kulich gave Lindy Ruff and the Sabres a surprise lift Thursday by getting back on the ice before Game 2 against Montreal.
That is a real development in Buffalo. Kulich had not played since November 1, 2025, after a blood clot was discovered, so seeing him skate again changed the mood around the team right away.
It also was not something many people were expecting this soon in Round 2. Buffalo already had the series lead, and now one of its young forwards is at least back around the group in a visible way.
That matters because the Sabres are already dealing with one missing piece up front. Noah Ostlund is out for the second round, which puts even more attention on any possible reinforcement.
Sam Carrick also could be getting closer, but Kulich was the name that jumped. A player returning to the ice after more than 6 months away is always going to turn heads in a playoff city.
For Buffalo, this is about more than tonight's lineup card. The club suddenly has another forward to monitor, and that can shift the conversation around its depth if Kulich keeps progressing over the next few days.
The emotional side is impossible to miss too. A blood clot is one of the most serious health issues an athlete can face, and some players never make it back from that kind of diagnosis.
He has not played since November 1 due to the discovery of a blood clot.»
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Sabres get unexpected boost as forward returns after blood clot complications
That is why Ruff's staff will handle this carefully. One skate does not guarantee a return in this series, but it does open the door to a possibility that did not feel realistic not long ago.
From Montreal's side, it is one more thing to track before puck drop. Martin St-Louis already has enough on his plate after the Canadiens dropped Game 1 by a 4-2 score.
Buffalo does not need to rush Kulich into a spot. The Sabres already showed in the opener that they can spread out the damage and still make life difficult on the Canadiens.
But the simple fact that he is back on the ice matters. It gives Buffalo another shot of optimism at a time of year when every extra option can change a bench.
It also says something about Kulich himself. Just getting to this point after such a long layoff takes patience, medical clearance, and a lot of work away from the spotlight.
So this is the clean takeaway for Buffalo heading into Game 2. Jiri Kulich is not back in the lineup yet, but he is back on the ice, and for the Sabres that is a big step that could grow into something much larger.
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YESTERDAY
MAY 7, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Jordan Staal | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Andrei Svechnikov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jordan Martinook | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Jalen Chatfield | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Trevor Zegras | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Sebastian Aho | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Emil Andrae | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Porter Martone | - | 1 | 1 | |
| K'Andre Miller | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Frederik Andersen | - | - | - | |
| Denver Barkey | - | - | - | |
| Jackson Blake | - | - | - | |
| Alex Bump | - | - | - | |
| William Carrier | - | - | - | |
| Sean Couturier | - | - | - | |
| Jamie Drysdale | - | - | - | |
| Christian Dvorak | - | - | - | |
| Tyson Foerster | - | - | - | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||