Fansided

One winger’s heroics are here to stay for the Sabres

Every time the Buffalo Sabres need some help and one player to step up and be that driving force, they always follow through.

By Todd Matthews |
Nov 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) celebrates a goal by Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) celebrates a goal by Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images / Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The Buffalo Sabres jumped out to a monstrous 2-0 lead after one period in Saturday’s big win over the Calgary Flames, but they looked flat for about 40 minutes after and did their best to let their opponent claw back into the contest. Fortunately, the Blue and Gold had a hero bail them out once again, and they’re continuing to put on a clinic this season. 

With Buffalo being the small market that it is, and containing a hockey team that has been historically bad since 2011, this player is likely flying under the radar. But with 13 points and six goals (20.7 shooting percentage) in 13 games, JJ Peterka is once again reminding all of us that he’s sneaking into a status as one of the game’s better players. 

On the power play in Saturday’s win, Peterka provided a helper for Tage Thompson, allowing arguably the Blue and Gold’s best scorer to drill the puck home and put the Sabres up 2-0. Then, Peterka stepped up big in the shootout, becoming the only skater to successfully score a goal following the 3-on-3 frame to allow Buffalo to clinch its seventh win of the season.

JJ Peterka will be the Sabres hero often in 2024-25

Right now, the Sabres power play remains abysmal, having converted just seven times in 45 attempts, but JJ Peterka has scored on the man advantage twice this season. He’s tied with Jason Zucker for the team lead there, and he’s second in goals scored, behind only Tage Thompson, who has 10. 

So, what’s making him the hero right now? His advanced numbers are average, and it’s not like he’s taking an incredible amount of shots on goal, ranking fifth in the team in the category and in total shots attempted. 

Overall, there’s nothing about his game that stands out other than his ability to come up big when the Sabres need him to. He came up big on October 16th in a two-goal effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he scored the go-ahead goal against the Chicago Blackhawks a few days later, and on Saturday, he bailed his team out. 

That said, if the Sabres need a goal in the clutch, there are a few players they can turn to, but they would do well to try and get the puck on Peterka’s stick. They do that enough in close games, then the Sabres will win a few more than we otherwise think they might. 

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