The Buffalo Sabres held an optional morning skate in Pittsburgh on Wednesday in preparation to take on the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Head coach Lindy Ruff indicated on Tuesday that he was hopeful that winger JJ Peterka would be available after missing the last two games.
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Peterka participated fully in practices on Monday and Tuesday in Buffalo, and Ruff said on Wednesday morning that the 22-year-old winger was cleared to play in the lineup against the Penguins.
According to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News, it is unknown who will sit with Peterka re-entering the lineup, and there were no indications due to the morning skate being optional. Winger Jiri Kulich, who played and was inserted in Peterka’s absence, is a possibility, as well as fourth-liners Sam Lafferty or Peyton Krebs.
Related: Sabres Captain Scraps With Teammate At Practice
Lafferty sat against Florida on Saturday, as the Sabres opted to use 11 forwards and inserted defenseman Dennis Gilbert against the physical Panthers.
Ruff also indicated that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will make the start against the Penguins in the hope of earning his first victory of the season, which means that Devon Levi will be in goal for the second of back-to-back games against Columbus on Thursday.
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