Lyon and Kulich Leave Early As Sabres Fall To Red Wings In Overtime

The Buffalo Sabres sent primarily a lineup of players bound for the American Hockey League in their preseason road contest against the Detroit Red Wings, but a pair of players that are expected to be part of the club’s opening night roster in less than a week, when the 2026-27 regular season opens in Columbus left the 3-2 overtime loss to the Wings early. 

Trevor Kuntar scored in the first period, andJiri Kulichput Buffalo ahead early in the second, but left the game for what head coach Lindy Ruff said were “precautionary reasons”. On Friday, the 22-year-old forward did not take part in practice at Key Bank Center, and Ruff cast some doubt whether Kulich will play in the preseason finale against Pittsburgh.  

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"(He was held out), just  really  maintenance. (He) could have skated  today,  so we  decided  to  keep  him  off  again.” Ruff said. “In  all  likelihood,  I would think he will  skate tomorrow.  Either  he  skates  or  plays,  one  of  the  two.  I  think probably  just  skate."

Ruff had indicated earlier in camp that the plan for Kulich, who missed most of last season with a blood clot issue, was going to play all four preseason games to get him back up to speed. The other concerning situation was goalie Alex Lyon leaving the game late in the first period with an apparent upper body injury. 

The Sabres head coach said after the game that he was optimistic and that it was nothing serious, but the veteran netminder was also not on ice for practice. Ruff said he was being evaluated and that more information will be available on Saturday, before the club finishes out their preseason schedule in an afternoon matinee against the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

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