Jiri Kulich scores go-ahead goal, Sabres rally to beat the Blackhawks 4-3

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Jiri Kulich scored with 6:40 left and the Sabres overcame a two-goal deficit to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in Buffalo’s home-opener on Saturday night.

For Kulich, the goal was his first in nearly a calendar year, and after the 22-year-old missed the final 70 games of last season due to blood clot issues. Rasmus Dahlin tied the game 6:10 into the third period, and Jack Quinn and Tage Thompson also scored for Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 12 saves.

Oliver Moore, Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi scored for the Blackhawks, who dropped to 0-3 following road losses at Vegas and Utah. Spencer Knight stopped 24 shots. Chicago squandered a 2-0 first-period lead and a 3-2 lead entering the third.

Kulich’s goal came after he missed the net on a chance from in close. Thompson recovered the puck behind the net and fed Owen Power in the right circle. Power then set up Kulich to the left of the net, from where he beat Knight.

The Sabres have won seven straight over Chicago and are 10-0-1 since a 4-1 loss on Nov. 17, 2019.

Buffalo debuted a new banner to honor the team winning its first Atlantic Division title in a season the Sabres also snapped an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

The Blackhawks were without top defenseman Bowen Byram, who was dealing with a family matter. Byram spent the previous two-plus seasons in Buffalo before being acquired by Chicago in a June trade.

Earlier in the day, Patrick Kane revealed his choice of where to sign in free agency this offseason was between his hometown Sabres or returning to Chicago. Leaving Detroit after three years, Kane signed a two-year deal with Chicago, where he spent his first 16 seasons and won three Stanley Cups.

Blackhawks: Home-opener against St. Louis on Tuesday night.

Sabres: Host Minnesota on Tuesday night.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (6) and Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) battle for position during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Chicago Blackhawks left wing Tyler Bertuzzi, center, celebrates after his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) cover a puck in traffic during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight (30) makes a save during the first period of an NHL hockey game agaunst the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Nick Schmaltz had two goals and the Utah Mammoth scored three times on the power play to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 on Saturday night for its second straight victory to open the season.

Mikhail Sergachev and Dylan Guenther each scored power-play goals. Sergachev added an assist and Guenther and Logan Cooley each had two assists. Sebastian Cossa stopped 15 shots in his Utah debut.

Clayton Keller had two assists to reach 600 NHL career points. He has two goals and 15 assists for 17 points in 17 career games against the Blue Jackets and four assists this season.

Kent Johnson scored for Columbus, and Jet Greaves stopped 21 shots. Matthew Knies had an assist, giving him four points in his first two games with the Blue Jackets.

Sergachev put Utah ahead with a power-play goal from near the blue line at 11:55 of the first period. Schmaltz doubled the lead less than five minutes later.

Johnson scored on a breakaway 1:30 into the second period to make it 2-1 before Guenther scored on the power play at 5:59 of the third for his third power-play goal in Utah’s first two games.

Schmaltz made it 4-1 with a power-play goal at 14:13 for his 500th NHL point.

The game opened a five-game road trip for Utah and was the first half of a back-to-back.

Mammoth: At the New York Rangers on Sunday night.

Blue Jackets: Hosts the Pittsburgh on Friday night.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Utah Mammoth's Mikhail Sergachev (98) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) skates against Columbus Blue Jackets' defenseman Denton Mateychuk (5) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Columbus Blue Jackets' center Kent Johnson (91) scores a goal against the Utah Mammoth during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Columbus Blue Jackets' left wing Danton Heinen (58) and right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) defend against Utah Mammoth defenseman Andrew Peeke (20) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)

Utah Mammoth's Nick Schmaltz, second from left, celebrates with Clayton Keller, right, after scoring against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tanner Pearson)