PRAGUE -- JJ Peterka sustained a concussion Saturday and did not return to for the Buffalo Sabres in a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia presented by Fastenal.
The forward took a hit from Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon at 6:02 of the first period and was helped off the ice by teammates. He was ruled out prior to the start of the second period.
Dillon received an interference penalty and a roughing penalty after fighting with Sabres forward Alex Tuch following the hit on Peterka.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff confirmed after the game that Peterka sustained a concussion and would travel home with the team. Buffalo played without forward Zach Benson, who sustained a lower-body injury in a 4-1 loss here Friday.
"I looked at the hit and obviously you've got to rely on the referees and the League to take a look at it … you don't know if it's a little late,” Ruff said. “They made the call. The call is what it is. The hit is what it is. You can't look back now.
“That put us a little thin right off the bat, especially with Benson not being able to play," Ruff said.
Peterka, who played three shifts totaling 1:39 Saturday, had an assist in a 4-1 loss to the Devils on Friday in the season opener for both teams. He had an NHL career-high 50 points (28 goals, 22 assists) and played all 82 games for Buffalo last season.
"He's a big piece of our team,” Sabres forward Tage Thompson said. “I didn't really see the hit, but it's a big play by ‘Tuchy’ (Alex Tuch) stepping in there and sticking up for JJ. It's unfortunate. Hopefully he's alright and he's back soon. He's a lot of our offense up front, helps generate stuff for us."
NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen contributed to this report
