OTP - Can Kulich Fill A Top-Six Role? The Buffalo Sabres have been inconsistent to start the 2024-25 regular season, losing to likely non-playoff teams Pittsburgh and Columbus on a recent three-game road trip, but bouncing back with their best effort of the year against one of the NHL’s top clubs in the Dallas Stars. In a 4-2 win over the Stars on Tuesday, the Sabres received another excellent goaltending performance from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, depth goal-scoring from fourth-liner Peyton Krebs and third-liner Ryan McLeod, and a club-leading fifth goal from Tage Thompson. "I think (secondary scoring) is important to any team," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said after the game. "Krebs getting us started, McLeod again getting on the score sheet. The strength of a club is, if you can get scoring and good defending out of every line." Owen Power also was a central figure in the win with three assists, giving him six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in eight games and the club lead in defensive scoring. Power’s offensive contribution has been a necessity early in the season with the struggles of Sabres team captain Rasmus Dahlin. Dahlin has just two assists in eight games, something that Ruff has attributed to the 2018 top pick missing some of training camp with an unspecified injury. His involvement in the Sabres offensive attack has not been as proactive as usual and that may also be a contributing factor in the ineffectiveness of the Buffalo power play, which went 0 for 1 on Tuesday and is scoreless in 22 opportunities this season. LATEST THN BUFFALO STORIES Sabres Playoff Chances Rest On Scorers Bouncing Back [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-playoff-chances-rest-on-scorers-bouncing-back] Sabres Say They Are Ready For Accountability [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-say-they-are-ready-to-be-held-accountable] Follow Michael on X @MikeInBuffalo [https://twitter.com/MikeInBuffalo]
