Sabres need JJ Peterka to build on his impressive performances
Peterka is determined to help the Sabres rally from their 22-27-5 record and last-place spot in the Eastern Conference.
Most games in the 4 Nations Face-Off were played too late at night for JJ Peterka to watch from Germany during the Buffalo Sabres’ break.
Peterka saw the highlights, though. He marveled over the remarkable skill on each of the four teams and, naturally, the return of best-on-best hockey featuring NHL players had Peterka clamoring for the opportunity to represent Germany on an international stage.
JJ Peterka scored a career-high 28 goals last season for the Sabres. Joed Viera, Buffalo News
“It’s pretty exciting, obviously,” Peterka said following practice Tuesday in KeyBank Center. “You see so much skill. It’s not often you see that much skill on one team at the same time, so to have a chance to play against them would be pretty special.”
Peterka won’t have to wait much longer to measure his talent against that best in the world. His performance in his third season with the Sabres has solidified the 23-year-old winger’s spot on Germany’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. One of only six German skaters in the NHL, Peterka ranks third in goals (55) and points (123) since he became a full-time player in Buffalo in October 2022.
If Peterka accomplishes his mission, the games in Milan and Cortina won’t be the most meaningful in his young career. He’s determined to help the Sabres rally from their 22-27-5 record and last-place spot in the Eastern Conference. The 2020 second-round draft pick views every game and every shift as the possible difference between another long offseason and an unprecedented playoff run.
Peterka’s 23 points over the past 24 games are only one behind Tage Thompson for the most on the Sabres during that span. After enduring a difficult stretch of games, Peterka has emerged as one of their most consistent difference-makers. His 15 goals are 13 fewer than the career-best mark that he set last season, but his 41 points have him on pace to surpass his output from 2023-24. Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Rasmus Dahlin are the only Sabres with more points than Peterka.
“The goal of making the playoffs is what drives me,” Peterka said. “We all know we can go on a stretch and win a lot of games in a row. We have that on our minds. I’ve taken more responsibility this season, from the start on, I’m trying to play my best every night to help the team as much as I can.”
The Sabres’ current playoff odds are 0.9%, according to MoneyPuck.com, and there are only 28 games remaining on their schedule. They will be 13 points out of a playoff spot entering Saturday, when they host the New York Rangers in KeyBank Center at 5:30 p.m. Buffalo has won four of its last five games but only 11 of 20 since its 13-game winless streak ended
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged the challenging road ahead when the team reconvened for practice Tuesday following the 4 Nations break. Ruff told his players to focus on earning at least seven points in five-game increments because doing so would give Buffalo a chance to be in the wild-card race during the final week of the season.
For the Sabres to go on an unprecedented run or at least add intrigue to the Eastern Conference’s playoff race, their top players must be solutions to the problems that have plagued them since the season began in Prague on Oct. 4. Only four NHL teams have scored more goals at 5 on 5 than Buffalo, but its power play ranks 27th.
Peterka’s 10 points on the man advantage are the fourth-most on the team, but he’s capable of producing more. He’s whiffed on too many one-timers from the right flank, and he needs to make smarter plays when the penalty kill pressures him. His struggles earlier this season also were caused by ill-advised passes and issues in the defensive zone. There were games in which Peterka’s ice time was cut, and he was benched for the second period of a game in December.
The habits in Peterka’s game have improved over the past several weeks, though. He’s regained Ruff’s trust and a spot on the Sabres’ first line.
The Sabres outscored their opponents 11-3 at 5 on 5 with Peterka, Thompson, and Jiri Kulich on the ice before the trio’s disappointing performance in Nashville on Feb. 8, according to Natural Stat Trick.
“His play away from the puck has been better,” Ruff said of Peterka. “I think that allows even greater ice time. The excitement of that line and how well they’ve been playing … you look at JJ’s game overall, his skating and puck play has been real good, and hopefully he can carry that into the rest of the season.”
It’s no secret how Peterka needs to play if he’s going to be successful. He needs to cut down or eliminate, the high-risk passes through the neutral zone and middle of the ice. Peterka can make exceptional plays, but he must trust his ability to lead the Sabres during the rush. He’s excellent at entering the offensive zone with the puck.
Ruff doesn’t want to see Peterka make mistakes in the defensive zone, either. He needs to understand and execute his responsibilities in Ruff’s system. And, if there’s a turnover while the Sabres are trying to score, Peterka needs to use his speed to race back into their end of the ice. He’s not the only player who must continue to improve in those areas, but he’s on the ice more than most of the inexperienced forwards on the roster. If Peterka is detailed in every other area of the game, then his offense can take over.
“He makes a ton of plays and is super gifted offensively,” said Sabres winger Zach Benson. “His shiftiness is underrated. He goes left to right really easily, which pushes defensemen back a lot of the time. It gives him space to make high-end plays, and his shot is obviously incredible, so he can score from the dots or wherever else once they back in.”
Peterka's performance hasn’t been flawless. It wasn’t expected to be, though. Ruff’s expectations and systems are different than those of former coach Don Granato. Peterka also missed time because of a concussion that he suffered during the Sabres’ second game of the season. He’s had two challenging stretches – including one goal in 16 games and an 11-game goal drought – but he has the potential and skill to become a play-driving winger.
There’s no need for the Sabres to rush to sign Peterka to a contract extension. He’s a pending restricted free agent and cannot file for salary arbitration if the two sides don’t agree on a contract. His role will continue to grow, though, if he continues to play the way that he has in recent weeks.