BUFFALO — The Buffalo Sabres secured their first victory of the 2026-27 season Saturday with a comeback win over the Chicago Blackhawks, rallying from multiple deficits behind Tage Thompson's two-point performance and Jiri Kulich's late third-period winner, even as questions persist about goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Thompson, held off the scoresheet in Thursday's season-opening loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, led all Buffalo point-producers against Chicago with a goal and two points. The decisive moment came from Kulich, the 21-year-old who was sidelined for all but 12 games in 2025-26 after being diagnosed with a blood clot, scoring the game-winning goal late in the third period to complete the comeback and deliver an emotional boost in the Buffalo dressing room.
The victory came despite another shaky outing from Luukkonen, who allowed three goals on just 15 Blackhawks shots. He earned the win after taking the loss against Columbus, but his save percentage now sits at .784 to start the season. Former Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, now with Chicago, pulled out of the game due to a family issue. The team moved on from Byram, not the other way around, but his absence removed a notable storyline from the matchup.
Buffalo avoided an 0-2 start against two of the league's worst teams from 2025-26 in Columbus and Chicago, a result that at least quiets early cynicism. The test gets tougher Tuesday with a home-ice showdown against the Minnesota Wild, who have opened 2-0 with wins over the Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins while limiting them to a combined two goals. Minnesota has stars at every position, and if the Sabres are to win the Atlantic Division for the second straight season, they will need to handle lesser opponents like Chicago and then prove they can rise against deeper contenders.