Prospects Challenge Recap: Sabres Lose Finale To Penguins

The Buffalo Sabres finished up the 2024 Prospects Challenge with an 8-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at LECOM Harborcenter on Monday afternoon. The Sabres ended up losing two of the three contests, but players who are expected to make a bid for a spot on the club’s NHL roster did not diminish their prospects.

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Jiri Kulich scored a pair of goals and finished the tournament with an impressive five goals in three games, while linemate and fellow first-rounder Isak Rosen registered five assists. Winger Viktor Neuchev added a power play tally, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius assisted on Buffalo’s final goal from Anton Wahlberg.

Kulich and Rosen’s chemistry, familiarity, and experience after two seasons in the AHL gave them an advantage, but the Sabres forwards converted on their opportunities. 2022 first-rounder Noah Ostlund played out of position on the wing with Helenius and Wahlberg, and had several good chances (including two breakaways), but did not convert.

On defense, Vsevolod Komarov registered an assist on Neuchev’s third-period goal and showed off the size, skating ability, and offensive instincts over three games that is making the club excited about the 20-year-old’s future.

Sabres Lineup Vs. Pittsburgh

Forward

Neuchev – Kulich - Rosen

Wahlberg – Helenius - Ostlund

Kisakov – Kozak - Nadeau

Miedema - Tullio – Cheveldayoff

Fiddler-Schultz

Defense

Johnson - Komarov

Novikov - Laaouan

Calisti

Goalie

Ratzlaff (1st Half)

Leenders (2^nd Half)

Box Score

1^st

BUF Neuchev (PP) (Rosen) (10:08)

BUF Kulich (Rosen) (15:05)

PIT Hayes (Broz) (17:40)

2nd

PIT Hayes (Broz)(:46)

PIT Hayes (McGroarty)(2:34)

BUF Kulich (Rosen) (4:43)

PIT Koivunen (Broz) (11:46)

PIT De St. Phalle (PP) (Pieniniemi) (16:31)

3rd

BUF Neuchev (Komarov) (:23)

PIT Broz (Koivunen) (5:01)

PIT Pietila (Foster) (11:40)

BUF Wahlberg (Helenius) (12:25)

PIT McGroarty (Hayes) (18:29)

SOG - BUF 34, PIT 36

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