'We're going to have fun' | Sabres' young forward line showing promise

JJ Peterka and his linemates step onto the ice each night with a simple mentality.
"We all play the sport because we love to play it," Peterka said. "We say, 'We're going to have fun tonight,' and that's what we do."
The approach has proved fruitful of late for the youngest forward line on the NHL's youngest team, which features a pair of rookies on the wings in Peterka and Jack Quinn and a 21-year-old elder statesman at center in Dylan Cozens.

The three had played together in some form at various points prior to this season - Quinn and Peterka in Rochester last season, Quinn and Cozens at the World Junior Championship in 2021, Peterka and Cozens in training camp. But it was only this month that the trio came together as a whole.
Sabres coach Don Granato first put Peterka, Cozens, and Quinn together for a home game against Boston on November 12. The Sabres earned decisive edges in shots attempts (14-3) and scoring chances (11-0) when their line was on the ice at 5-on-5.
It proved to be the start of a trend. The Sabres' advantages with Peterka, Cozens, and Quinn together at 5-on-5 through six games, according to Natural Stat Trick: 81-58 in shot attempts (58.2 percent), 53-34 in scoring chances (60.9 percent), and 27-13 in high-danger shot attempts (67.5 percent).
"The three of them together, they developed a chemistry on the ice," Granato said. "On the bench, they communicate really well. And Cozens is a leader, we know that. Now he's got two guys that unequivocally, he can lead. He's doing a great job of that."
The time spent in the offensive zone and chances generated have begun to translate to goals. Peterka and Cozens both scored against the Lightning on Monday, a game that saw them match up most frequently with Tampa Bay's veteran trio of Steven Stamkos, Nick Paul, and Alex Killorn.

Their chemistry begins off the ice where, as three of the team's youngest players, they spend time hanging out, playing video games - 21-year-old stuff.
Between the boards, they each possess dynamic offensive traits and high-level vision. Peterka can speed past defenders on the wing and deliver a pass tape-to-tape pass while doing it. Quinn has increasingly shown a knack for finding space to execute the deceptive shot that allowed him to score 26 goals with Rochester this season.
Quinn has three goals and two assists in his the last five games, during which he's tallied 14 shots. Peterka is tied for fourth among NHL rookies with 11 points (4+7) this season.
Cozens, meanwhile, has continued to develop into a two-way force in his third NHL season. He has six goals and 16 points, putting him on pace for 22 goals and 59 points over 82 games. But his contributions exceed his offensive ability.
Granato was asked Tuesday what qualities make Cozens a leader on the Sabres.
"Compete," Granato said. "Care for his team and teammates. Those. Anything after those are great, but those two are drivers."
True to that assessment, Cozens has made it a point to lead the way for his linemates. His example can be traced back to last spring, when he traveled to Rochester to watch Quinn and Peterka play in an Amerks' playoff game. Cozens also made the drive from Ontario in July to spend a day with Quinn, Peterka, and other Sabres prospects at development camp.
"Obviously we're all similar age but I've got a little more experience," he said. "I know what they're going through in their rookie year and I know what I went through, so I just try and help as much as I can and be a guy they can talk to about anything. We're all great friends so it's easy to talk about whatever."
Here are more notes from practice at KeyBank Center on Tuesday.
1.Ilya Lyubushkin did not practice after sustaining an injury late in the game against Tampa Bay on Monday. Lyubushkin left the ice after blocking a shot from Stamkos and did not return. He was still being evaluated as of Tuesday afternoon.
2.Jacob Bryson is progressing in his recover from a lower-body injury but did not travel with the Sabres to Detroit for their game against the Red Wings on Wednesday.
3. The Sabres visit the Red Wings on Wednesday with their sights set on rebounding from their overtime loss to the Lightning, which saw Buffalo build a 5-3 lead with 5:41 remaining in regulation before the Tampa Bay struck with three unanswered goals.
"It's nice to move right into the next game," Granato said. "The guys have every reason to be excited about playing as long as they compete. I mentioned that psyche is a big part of things and the psyche's where we slipped last night. We didn't slip in compete or preparation.
"We need to keep doing that and reflect that we can't allow this to now take a further hit on the psyche. You lose a game, disappointment, it can't linger into today. I thought the skate today was real good and there's every reason to be excited about playing another game. These guys love playing hockey."
The game on Wednesday will be nationally televised on TNT beginning at 7 p.m. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the radio call on WGR 550.