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Sabres: Peterka extending points streak headlines Week 5 predictions

By Sion Fawkes

Nov 4, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goalie Devon Levi (27) rests on the ice during an ice cleaning break against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goalie Devon Levi (27) rests on the ice during an ice cleaning break against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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We are heading into Games 13 through 15 in Week 5 of the Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 season. Can JJ Peterka extend that points streak?

The Buffalo Sabres are coming off of a strong week, even if they hit some turbulence in both Philadelphia games despite one of them being a 5-2 win. This week, Buffalo has a trio of games on the slate, with the first coming up tomorrow night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Their next two are more than winnable vs. the Minnesota Wild and against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a back-to-back. Therefore, it’s okay to get bold for Week 5, starting with another slate of strong outings from JJ Peterka.

3 bold predictions for the Buffalo Sabres heading into Week 5

1 – JJ Peterka scores a point in all three games

This one probably doesn’t qualify as a bold prediction at this point in the season, given Peterka’s current five-game points streak. But to increase it to eight? No one saw the current streak holding up had you asked them before the season began, and Peterka has shown us that he can score almost at will in the season’s first 12 games, or at least provide the helper.

Therefore, Peterka snags a secondary helper (or more) in each game this week, bringing his overall points total to at least 11 in 15 games. Doing the math, it will put Peterka on pace for 60 this season.

2 – Luukkonen and Levi combine for a 0.910 save percentage, 2.75 GAA

It looks like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi will be in a true timeshare, and while they are young and inconsistent, there will be weeks when they enjoy some strong outings. While Carolina, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh have all performed well offensively, we’ve seen at least Luukkonen put on some unsung performances recently, and it will happen again this week.

Levi hasn’t looked as hot, but the 21-year-old has also shown his fair share of flashes in the past against good teams. That said, this will be one of those weeks when both goaltenders click, and they end up posting some stellar numbers.

3 – Sabres avoid losing in regulation

With games coming up against the Hurricanes, Wild, and Penguins, the Sabres have an excellent chance to avoid a regulation loss this week. Carolina shut out their previous opponent at home, but that was the San Jose Sharks. They also narrowly escaped the Seattle Kraken, meaning their only convincing home win came in the season opener vs. the Ottawa Senators.

Hot. 3 burning questions for the Sabres in Week 5. light

The Wild have struggled on the road, and that could play into the Sabres hands, as they are allowing an average of nearly four-and-a-half goals per game in other arenas. Then, the Blue and Gold travel to Pittsburgh, who as of Monday afternoon are just 2-4-0 in home games, which could also work to the Sabres advantage.

(Statistics and information provided by Hockey-Reference)

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