The Buffalo Sabres left for Europe last week a completely healthy squad with some optimism and a positive direction under new head coach Lindy Ruff. After a pair of losses to the New Jersey Devils at the NHL Global Series in Prague on Friday and Saturday, the club is returning to North America with three injured wingers and concerns about generating offense.
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The Sabres were held to a single tally from Owen Power in the 4-1 loss on Friday and were held to only 18 shots on goal on Jake Allen by the Devils in a 3-1 loss on Saturday.
Buffalo entered the game minus two wingers, as Nicolas Aube-Kubel left Friday’s contest with a lower-body injury. Zach Benson also did not play on Saturday and head coach Lindy Ruff indicated after the game that the 19-year-old played through a lower-body injury on Friday that got worse overnight that did allow him to play.
The Sabres also lost winger JJ Peterka in the first period after a high hit from Devils defenseman Brendan Dillon. After the game, Ruff confirmed that Peterka suffered a concussion, but that he did not leave the O2 Arena for medical evaluation.
Originally called a major penalty, the officials reduced the penalty to a minor for interference. Peterka, who saw only 1:39 in three shifts during the first period, did not return for the second period and the club indicated via X that the winger would not return for the rest of the contest.
“You don’t know if the (hit) was a little late. The call is what it is, and the hit is what it is.” Ruff said. “No update right now, (other than Peterka was) diagnosed with a concussion.”
Here’s a replay of Brendan Dillon’s hit on JJ Peterka
Was originally called a 5 minute major, but changed to a 2 minute minor
— Nasty Knuckles (@NastyKnuckles) October 5, 2024
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