Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e3246c59-d695-4bbf-8ae4-47f4794eb9f0.jpeg] The Buffalo Sabres battled the Florida Panthers in the first of a Sunshine State back-to-back, tying the game late on a JJ Peterka power play goal, before falling 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday, but the game marked scary incidents to Sabres rookie center Jiri Kulich and defenseman Owen Power. Kulich was slammed at center ice by Panther forward Jonah Gadjovich with a high hit late in the second period, which drew the rebuke of a number of Buffalo teammates, but Gadjovich was not penalized for the hit. Gadjovich later dropped the gloves with Sabres winger Alex Tuch. Other Sabres Stories Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/88df8c5e-1e24-4f56-90c3-aa32c588384a.jpeg] Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday? The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres">Buffalo Sabres</a> are currently focused on finishing off the 2024-25 season on a positive note after most of the campaign being dominated by the negative. The club is looking to win their third game in a row in Utah on Thursday after a shootout win over Vegas on Saturday and an overtime victory in Boston on Monday. Barring an incredibly successful final 16 games, the Sabres are likely to finish in the bottom five of the NHL standings, and with a number of questions that will need to be addressed in the offseason. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/is-peterka-in-prime-position-for-big-payday] Dahlin Refutes Assertion Of Wanting Out Of Buffalo [https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/deweb-519a7.appspot.com/o/posts%2FNHLBUFF%2Fcontent-images%2F6ffb6ce1-9743-46e9-828f-6dea55726d42.webp?alt=media] Dahlin Refutes Assertion Of Wanting Out Of Buffalo As if the Buffalo Sabres do not have enough drama with the club heading for their 14th consecutive season outside of the playoffs, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin refuted a report from <a href="https://x.com/lookathtmango/status/1899519290488832081">TNT panelist and Spittin Chiclets co-host Paul Bissonette</a> that the Sabres team captain met with GM Kevyn Adams and wants out of Buffalo if the club does not improve quickly. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/dahlin-refutes-assertion-of-wanting-out-of-buffalo] Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/88dfc4b3-858a-4580-ad6f-0962a5e44ffe.jpeg] Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres">Buffalo Sabres</a> season began with the hope of ending their long playoff drought and will end on April 17th with a 14th consecutive year outside of the postseason. There are a number of contributing factors to the club’s struggles, but <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6195557/2025/03/17/nhl-owner-rankings-2025-mirtle/">according to an article in the Athletic</a> that surveyed fans from every NHL club, Sabres owner Terry Pegula is ranked last among the 32 owners. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-ownership-ranked-worst-in-nhl-by-survey-in-the-athletic] “A tough hit. (It’s) debatable whether it was clean or not,” Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said after the game. “They are claiming that (the puck) touched (Kulich’s) stick. I’ve watched it few times, I’m not going to debate whether it hit or barely touched his stick or not.” Power left the game in the middle frame after Mattias Samuelsson knocked Carter Verhaeghe into the Sabres blueliner’s leg and rolled up on his left ankle. Ruff indicated that Power would likely not play in the second of back-to-back games against Tampa Bay, with Jacob Bryson stepping in on the left side, but the injury looked to be more severe and potentially could end Power’s season with just three games remaining. After Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves in the loss to Florida, James Reimer will get the start against the Lightning. Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
