Kulich’s final faceoff of the night came with 18 seconds remaining and the Sabres clinging to a one-goal lead in a game they desperately needed. His opponent, J.T. Miller, entered the night with a 58.7-percent success rate in the circle. Kulich won the draw and, seconds later, cleared the puck out of the defensive zone.

Vancouver surrendered twof third-period goals by JJ Peterka and a poor Buffalo team playing in the second leg of a back-to-back.

The dust is still settling around the NHL following a massive blockbuster deal between the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Vancouver Canucks have been working the phones and it appears a new favourite has emerged in a potential Elias Pettersson trade.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has reported that the Buffalo Sabres have emerged as trade contenders to acquire Vancouver Canucks star Elias Pettersson.

Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks could make a blockbuster trade including Dylan Cozens and Elias Pettersson, according to insider reports

One Elias Pettersson is at the center of the Vancouver Canucks' trade drama. The other is a feel-good story and an addition to the NHL's history of players with the same names.

The club is last in the Eastern Conference with an 18-26-5 record and, barring an unprecedented run, the playoff drought that’s chased off season-ticket holders will reach 14 years.

Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford doesn’t see any way to keep J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson happy together as teammates.

As for the heatmap, it was a mess for Vancouver. Buffalo was able to generate shots from all over the zone, including right beside Thatcher Demko. The Canucks also struggled to create chances, as only six of the 34 shots Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen were registered as high-danger shots.

In a report published Sunday at The Fourth Period, Seravalli revealed that the Sabres "continue to scour the trade market" trying to retool their roster. "Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has been active making and taking calls on a number of his players, with centre Dylan Cozens at the forefront of discussions," Seravalli wrote.