BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — So far not-so-good for the Sabres.
Hope for a revitalization of playoff contender status under returning coach Lindy Ruff is on hold after Buffalo began the season by going 0-2-0 in games against the New Jersey Devils at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
And in what could turn out to be a more significant loss for the Sabres, top-line winger JJ Peterka is out indefinitely after taking a hit to the head during Saturday's 3-1 defeat.
Goaltender Devon Levi made 34 saves in his first start of the season. Levi outplayed opening game starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who stopped 19 of 22 shots in a 4-1 loss on Friday.
Tage Thompson scored in the second period to give the Sabres a brief lead. But the Devils took advantage by outshooting the Sabres 37-18. The Sabres went scoreless on two power plays and are now 0-for-6 with the man advantage in the early season.
Buffalo returns home for its next two games, Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, and Saturday against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.
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