After missing a couple weeks for the Sabres due to injury, Kulich has been excellent in his return. The 20-year-old forward is carving out a new role on the team, and it's a huge

The Vancouver Canucks hit double-digit losses in Rogers Arena on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Thatcher Demko earned his third consecutive and 11th start of the season for the Canucks, with standout free agent signing Kevin Lankinen sidelined due to an illness.

Tuesday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650 The latest: Thatcher Demko makes his third-consecutive start tonight to get his total game right. The first priority for the hard-luck goaltender is to get to a place where puck tracking,

The Sabres got on the board first ... Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was strong for Buffalo, making 32 saves, while Thatcher Demko made 23 saves in a losing effort for the Vancouver Canucks.

The message was sent Tuesday and, for once in this utterly bizarre Buffalo Sabres season, it was actually heard.

Ask Thatcher Demko whether his play since returning to the Vancouver Canucks lineup in early December has been up to snuff. “I don’t think I’ve been good enough this year,” the veteran goalie admitted this week after the team blew a 2-1 lead in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres and lost 3-2.

JJ Peterka had a goal and assist in the third period, and Rasmus Dahlin had two assists for the Sabres (18-24-5), who were coming off a 6-4 loss at the Seattle Kraken on Monday and won for the second time in five games.

With trade speculation swirling about Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens, 20-year-old Jiri Kulich impressed coach Lindy Ruff on the first line.

And it could affect the Vancouver Canucks’ need for wins to stay in the playoff race. After all, they haven’t won consecutive games since Dec. 1.

Jiri Kulich had a goal and two assists to help the visiting Buffalo Sabres rally for a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. JJ Peterka added a goal and two assists, Tage Thompson also scored and Rasmus Dahlin had two assists for the Sabres,

The Buffalo Sabres’ four-game road trip now takes them to Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome for a Thursday night matchup with the Flames. On Tuesday, the Sabres rode their top line to a 3-2 comeback victory in Vancouver, their third win of the season when trailing after two periods.

Jiri Kulich had a goal and two assists and the Buffalo Sabres rallied to beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Tuesday night.