BUFFALO – The past three weeks have been the most productive of Sabres forward Tyson Kozak’s three-year NHL career.
For starters, the oft-injured Kozak has played nine straight games. But beyond staying healthy, he has consistently contributed, utilizing his speed and tenacity to earn coach Lindy Ruff’s trust as a fourth-line anchor and penalty killer.
“High-end compete, skating great,” Ruff said of Kozak’s recent play following Tuesday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “His killing has been good. Determined in the faceoff dot. I think we’ve seen some of his best hockey.”
Of course, Kozak’s fast, aggressive style has impressed the Sabres in the past. Injuries, however, constantly forced him to miss action.
If he plays in Saturday’s road game against the Dallas Stars, it will mark just the fourth time in his 78-game career he has played 10 consecutive contests. He has never played more than 12 straight games.
Since turning pro in 2022-23, he has never eclipsed the 55-game mark.
The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Kozak – the Sabres list him two pounds heavier than last season – believes he has conditioned his body to handle the rigors of what can be a grueling 84-game schedule.
“(I’m) definitely stronger, putting the work in in the summer,” said Kozak, who missed four games with an upper-body injury last month.
Simply staying healthy for a few weeks has helped buoy Kozak.
“It’s just the confidence thing, really,” he told the Times Herald. “Last year, being in and out of the lineup, getting injured, stuff like that, it’s kind of hard to find your groove, be at the top of your game. I think early on this season, I’ve just felt really good.”
Ruff has leaned on Kozak, 23, heavily in difficult situations.
“He’s gaining confidence with being that No. 1 guy in the faceoff dot that we send out there killing the penalty,” Ruff said.
A whopping 93.1 percent of his starts have come in the defensive zone, including 89.6 percent at five-on-five. Overall last season, he started 76.0 percent of the time in the defensive zone.
“A lot of our line starts are in the D-zone, so (it’s nice) having that responsibility of trying to win that faceoff, get the puck out, try and go hem them in their end,” Kozak said. “Yeah, it (Ruff’s trust) means a lot. I love it. I love playing on the penalty kill, being in those positions on the ice.”
Within his checking role, Kozak, who plays center and the wing, gives the Sabres a consistent, steady effort. He’s not flashy.
“You know every single time you put him in the lineup what you’re going to get out of him,” said Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn, who skates alongside Kozak on the fourth line. “I know being his linemate as much as I have that I can trust exactly what he’s going to do, where he’s going to be.”
The chemistry Kozak, Malenstyn and some other forwards – Sam Carrick and Ryan McLeod both skated on the line earlier this week – developed over the past few seasons has recently helped the Sabres’ fourth line stand out.
Last season, the trio ranked among the NHL’s best fourth lines, often playing a heavy game and generating loads of time in the offensive zone.
“That line has got to a place where that line got last year, starting to make a difference for us in games with physicality, with the penalty killing, with chipping in,” Ruff said. “(You can) go back to a big segment of time where that line was scoring big goals, big games.
“And you need that type of offensive boost from different players, and when you get it from those guys, the depth really helps your team.”
How can Kozak, seventh-round pick in 2021, 193rd overall, display more growth?
“Next step is just believing you can make a few more plays when it’s there,” Ruff said.
Kozak has recorded one goal and two points in 11 games this season. He has compiled six goals and 13 points in his career.
“It’s definitely something I’ve been trying to work on, for sure, but just trying to stay responsible at the same time,” Kozak said of his offensive production.
As Kozak’s zone starts illustrate, he and his linemates aren’t cast in an offensive role. Malenstyn said in playing a simple and direct style, plays can be left on the table.
“It’s not to any fault other than you’re trying to create momentum, you’re trying to get in on the forecheck,” he said.
Malenstyn said Kozak can open up space and plays by consistently using his speed.
“Within his game this year, you’re starting to see him manipulate that a little better and making plays with that space,” he said.
Tyson Kozak from DEEP! 🎯
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— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 30, 2026