Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will be playing at BB&T Center for the first time since the Buffalo Sabres acquired him from the Florida Panthers on June 25 for defenseman Mark Pysyk in a trade that also involved three picks in the 2016 NHL Draft. Kulikov had been the longest-tenured player on the Panthers roster. "The rink is the same, but the entrance was a bit different," said Kulikov, who was Florida's first-round pick (No. 14) in the 2009 draft. "Right now it doesn't feel weird, but I'm sure when I step out for the warmups it'll be a little emotional seeing the fans that I played for so long in front of." Kulikov will play in his fifth game since returning after a 13-game absence with a back injury. "I really think since his first game he's played a number of strong games for us," coach Dan Bylsma said. "He's really made a difference with his skating and his ability to defend on the back end for us since he's come back." The Sabres are 3-1-1 in their past five games, including a 2-1 shootout loss at the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. Bylsma is one victory away from becoming the 47th coach in NHL history with 300 regular-season wins. He'll be coaching his 514th game; a victory would make him the second-fastest to reach 300 victories behind Bruce Boudreau (496).
