Zucker is an influential voice in the locker room and wants to make Buffalo better despite knowing he could be traded at the deadline.

Dealing with illness

Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (illness) is questionable to play against Vancouver on Tuesday. He is feeling under the weather and might sit out his first game of the season. Zucker's play has been one of only a few bright spots this season for Buffalo.

Despite their promising young core, the Buffalo Sabres have fallen short of expectations this season, leaving fans disappointed. As they look to the future, some veteran players, including Jason Zucker, may be moved to make room for younger talent.

Zucker’s net-front residence has yielded offense at both 5-on-5 and on a resurgent Buffalo power play. Since Dec. 21, with Zucker a regular on the top unit, the Sabres have gone 9-for-28 (32 percent) with the man advantage, seventh best in the NHL during that span.

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

BOTTOM LINE: The Calgary Flames face the Buffalo Sabres in a non-conference matchup. Calgary has a 22-16-7 record overall and a 14-6-3 record in home games. The Flames are 5-12-2 in games their opponents commit fewer penalties.

VANCOUVER – JJ Peterka set up Juri Kulich's tying goal midway through the third period and scored the game-winner with 6:27 left as the Buffalo Sabres rallied for two goals to beat the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2, Tuesday night in Rogers Arena.

Jared McCann had a goal and two assists while John Hayden, Chandler Stephenson, Matty Beniers, Jamie Oleksiak and Adam Larsson also scored for Seattle. Ryker Evans tallied a pair of assists, and goalie Joey Daccord stopped 25 of 29 shots. The Sabres went 1-for-3 on the power play and killed one of two shorthanded situations.

Jamie Oleksiak scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, and Adam Larsson and Jared McCann added scores in the third as the Seattle Kraken beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-4.

Tage Thompson, Jiri Kulich and JJ Peterka each found the back of the net, with Peterka’s late tally proving to be the game winner. It marked the Sabres’ third win this season when trailing after two periods, and their first since Nov. 23 at San Jose.