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.

Jonah Gadjovich NAILS Jiri Kulich in open ice and the Sabres go after him 😳💥 pic.twitter.com/qrPOhRyzdW

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 12, 2025

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“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.

Owen Power injury #Sabrehood#TimeToHuntpic.twitter.com/zSKlcgHYKj

— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) April 13, 2025

After Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves in the loss to Florida, James Reimer will get the start against the Lightning.

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