Jiri Kulich surprised everyone by hitting the ice again on Thursday, just before Game 2 against Montreal, giving a boost to Lindy Ruff and the Sabres.
This is a big deal for Buffalo. Kulich hasn’t played since November 1, 2025, when doctors found a blood clot in him, so seeing him skate again really lifted the team’s spirits right away.
Not many people thought this would happen so soon in the second round. Buffalo was already ahead in the series, and now one of their young players is back practicing with the team.
This is important because the Sabres are already missing one forward. Noah Ostlund is out for the second round, so everyone is paying even more attention to any potential help.
Sam Carrick might also be getting closer to returning, but Kulich is the standout name. When a player comes back to practice after being away for more than 6 months, it definitely catches people’s attention in a city that loves its playoffs.
For Buffalo, this means more than just changing the lineup for tonight’s game. The team suddenly has another forward to keep an eye on, and if Kulich keeps improving in the next few days, it could change how they think about their depth.
The emotional side of this return is important too. A blood clot is one of the most serious health problems athletes can face, and not everyone is able to come back from something like that.
A cameraman from TVA Sports, Maxime, reported that Jiri Kulich was practicing alone this morning with the Buffalo Sabres.
He hasn’t played since November 1 because of the blood clot issue.
Sabres receive an unanticipated boost as the forward returns after complications from a blood clot.
That is why Ruff’s team will be very careful about this. Just having one player back doesn’t guarantee they will win this series, but it does create a chance that seemed unlikely not too long ago.
From Montreal’s perspective, this adds one more thing to think about before the game starts. Martin St-Louis has a lot to deal with since the Canadiens lost Game 1 with a score of 4-2.
Buffalo doesn’t need to hurry Kulich into a position. The Sabres already demonstrated in the first game that they can share the workload and still give the Canadiens a tough time.
But the important thing is that he is back on the ice. This brings Buffalo a boost of hope at a time when having more choices can really make a difference for the team.
It also says something positive about Kulich himself. Just reaching this point after being sidelined for so long requires a lot of patience, medical approval, and hard work behind the scenes.
So here’s the main point for Buffalo as they get ready for Game 2. Jiri Kulich isn’t in the game yet, but he is practicing again, and for the Sabres, that’s a significant step that could lead to even bigger things.
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