Sabres wingers JJ Peterka, Zach Benson return to practice, could play in home opener

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Sabres could have two of their top wingers back in the lineup for Thursday's home opener.

JJ Peterka and Zach Benson both practiced Wednesday after missing part of the past week with injuries. If they feel well following Thursday morning's skate, both are expected to be in the lineup against the Los Angeles Kings.

Peterka, the Sabres' top-line left winger, sustained a concussion when he got checked in the head by New Jersey defenseman Brendan Dillon during Buffalo's 3-1 loss Saturday. Benson was scratched for the second of two losses to start the season in Prague, Czechia because of a lower-body injury that the second-line winger.

With bruising under his left eye, Peterka said he's never taken a hit quite like that before, but also "personally, I think it was pretty light," Buffalo's leading goal scorer from last season said. "I just didn't expect it coming."

The Sabres will be close to full health if Peterka and Benson are both able to play Thursday night. Veteran forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel will miss at least three weeks with a lower-body injury that occurred in the season opener, coach Lindy Ruff said.

With Aube-Kubel's placed on injured reserve, the Sabres had room on the roster to keep prospect forward Jiri Kulich for the time being.