Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced Thursday morning that JJ Peterka isn’t ready to return from a concussion just yet. He hopes to have Zach Benson available, but will dress an extra player for warmup against the Los Angeles Kings just in case.
That would put Jiri Kulich back into the Sabres' lineup.
Ruff often talks about pace, and says he needs to see it on Thursday.
"That is our entire focus: Continue to build our identity, playing a quick game, playing at a real high pace, getting on top of people, creating turnovers, being really tough to play against," said Ruff following Thursday's morning skate.
Last season was the first time since the 2019-20 campaign where the Sabres had a home points percentage over .500. Their .524 still only ranked them 24th in the NHL.
In the years before, they were:
- 2022-23: 27th (.463)
- 2021-22: 24th (.488)
- 2020-21: 29th (.357)
- 2019-20: 9th (.629)
From 2020-21 through 2023-24, the Sabres are 28th in the NHL with a point percentage of .467.
Ruff remembers when this team had a huge advantage at home, and he thinks it’s essential to get that back.
"It’s very important that we make this into a building where it’s really tough to play, and I don’t think it happens overnight," Ruff said. "I think it starts with individual shifts and it can start a lot of different ways and we need to emphasize all areas to make this place miserable for teams to come in and try to win a hockey game."
Ruff talked about when he coached here the first time, where you could actually feel the building shake after a big win or a big goal.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen last played a game Friday in Prague against the New Jersey Devils. I don’t think he played well, and I don’t think he played poorly. After one game, he’s 0-1-0 with a 3.05 goals-against average and an .864 save percentage.
Luukkonen admits he was OK, but losing in the hardest part.
"You don’t want to start with a loss, but I felt it was fine," said Luukkonen on Wednesday. "Some things I need to work on, but it’s good to build on and go from there."
Before the game in Prague, he had gone a week since playing, so he’s only played once since Sept. 27. The goaltender believes that’s not a factor for him.
"I wouldn’t say it’s difficult, especially at the start of the season. It’s kind of what you’re used to, so I feel like you’re still excited for every game at the start," Luukkonen said. "It doesn’t really matter how long the times in-between are, so it’s not the optimal situation, but it never is."
Luukkonen and other players said traveling back from Europe is no longer a factor, because they’ve had more than enough time to get their bodies used to coming home.
The Sabres have played two games, but coming back to North America, it seems like Thursday’s home opener against the Kings is like starting over. Luukkonen agrees.
"It was like we were flying under the radar over there. Yes, it got media attention, but I feel like the season starts more-and-more now with every other team starting too," he said. "We didn’t start how we wanted there. It’s a good thing for us to regroup and start at home."
The Sabres have been saying since Day 1 the time is now. Luukkonen thinks it’s going to be great to get back on the ice for a game in Buffalo.
"Everybody loves the fans here. It’s a big thing for us. They’re passionate, so we want to show up for them," Luukkonen said.
Tune in during "Schopp and the Bulldog" for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. ET when you’ll hear from Ruff, Luukkonen and Alex Tuch.
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