Kulich and Danforth return, Metsa shines in featured role

PITTSBURGH – The Buffalo Sabres opened their four-game preseason schedule with a 4-1 loss Monday at PPG Paints Arena.

An AHL-heavy lineup made the trip to Pittsburgh, with Jake Richard scoring Buffalo’s only goal on a second-period power play, but some NHL guys stood out in the loss.

Most notably, forwards Jiri Kulich and Justin Danforth played their first games in nearly a year. Kulich’s 2025-26 season ended after 13 games because of a blood clot, Danforth’s after four because of a broken kneecap. Both faced physical and mental hurdles as their careers hung in the balance; both have made it back to the ice.

• Exclusive look at Kulich’s road to recovery
• Danforth discusses knee rehab, return to action

Kulich double-shifted in the second and third periods and led Sabres forwards with 19:39 of ice time. The center had six shot attempts (three on net), one hit and five faceoff wins in 12 tries. He skated and shot well, looked strong and confident on the puck and, at one point in the third, swooped in to save a likely Penguins goal.

Danforth skated 17:32 with two shots, two hits and two faceoff wins, flashing the foot speed and competitiveness Buffalo targeted in free agency last summer.

“Him and Danforth did a lot of good things tonight,” assistant coach Seth Appert, filling in for Lindy Ruff as the bench boss, told Sabres.com. “... It’s a real credit to how hard they worked to get themselves ready for this.”

Appert also heavily featured defenseman Zach Metsa, who skated a team-high 21:55 with reps on the top penalty kill and power play – he picked up an assist on the Richard goal. Although Metsa had just a sliver of shorthanded action as an NHL rookie last season, his strength and steady defensive game suggest a fit there, and he and the coaching staff have discussed as much.

“I think it’s a spot I can help, so just take every opportunity I can to improve that,” said Metsa, who was his usual self in the preseason opener – winning battles in the corners, closing gaps on the rush, clearing pucks without an issue.

When the undrafted Metsa played NHL preseason games a year ago, he couldn’t have predicted what the next several months would bring. Other injuries forced his debut, but his performance made the Amerks’ captain a key cog for the Sabres and even earned him a couple playoff games.

“I think right after the season, maybe the first week, you just sit back like, ‘Woah, what a season,’” Metsa reflected. “… But same time, it’s kind of a springboard. Hopefully I can keep building off of it.”

Added Appert: “He showed last year that he can be an everyday NHL player.”

Four months after the playoffs, the 27-year-old finds himself in a similar spot on the defensive depth chart. The Sabres traded Bowen Byram and Michael Kesselring while adding Olen Zellweger and Louis Crevier, so Metsa has been the No. 7 in practices so far. But when injuries inevitably happen, Buffalo has a trustworthy replacement with a solid understanding of his role.

“I think I have a pretty good process and pretty good mindset where no matter what’s going on on the depth chart, I try not to think of it too much,” Metsa said. “I just show up, do my job and put in the work that I need to.”

Here’s more from the preseason opener.

Lyon, Ellis share net

Alex Lyon got the start in goal and stopped 16 of 19 shots through two periods. Colten Ellis entered (as planned) for the third and went 8-for-8 on saves, including a breakaway on the first shift of the period.

‘That small little window’

Metsa’s journey is relevant for his teammates in Monday’s exhibition. The bulk of the lineup will likely start the season in Rochester, but an NHL promotion could always be right around the corner (and an hour down I-90).

Asked about other standouts in Pittsburgh, Appert pointed to Richard’s shot, Radim Mrtka’s defending, Trevor Kuntar’s tenacity – “it seems to irritate the opponent” – and AHL veteran Thomas Bordeleau’s solid showing. For those guys and others, it’s about staying ready and making an impression when they get the chance.

“You never know, when you’re a bubble guy, when you’re an up-and-down guy, when your moment is going to be,” Appert said. “And for a lot of those guys, it might only be two or three games. It might only be that small little window to show what you have. And obviously Mets, credit to him, he was ready for that opportunity and he seized it.”

Sheary exits

Offseason signing Conor Sheary, who’s been practicing with the AHL group, exited in the first period after getting elbowed and losing a tooth. The 34-year-old winger started on the first line with Kulich and played 5:35 across eight shifts.

Appert had no update yet on Sheary after the game.

Up next

The Sabres host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday at 7 p.m., their first of two home preseason games. It will be streaming live on Sabres.com.