Olofsson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named top rookie for January

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, whose six wins led all first-year netminders, has earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors for January.

Luukkonen, 23, has emerged as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie this season, becoming their backbone after being recalled from the Rochester Americans in November.

In January, the Finn was stellar, making at least 30 saves in five of his nine outings. Overall in the month, he compiled a 6-2-1 mark with ... Read the full article

After struggles, Sabres’ Victor Olofsson scoring goals, becoming star

BUFFALO – At times this season, Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has battled adversity and the perception he’s too one-dimensional.

For stretches, he has struggled at even strength and lost ice time, doing little to dispel the belief he’s simply a power-play guy who possesses a lethal shot.

Still, 45 games into the campaign, Olofsson has already registered a career-high 21 goals.... Read the full article

Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen helps Sabres earn thrilling overtime win on ‘Ryan Miller Night’

BUFFALO – It was only fitting, right? On a night the Sabres honored Ryan Miller by retiring his No. 30 and inducting him into their Hall of Fame, the goalies stole the show in the home team’s thrilling 3-2 overtime victory.

At one end, rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Sabres’ best young netminder since Miller in the early 2000s, made several game-saving stops. Meanwhile, New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin made 19 of his 42 saves ... Read the full article

Sabres goalies Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen embracing difficult situation

BUFFALO – So far, the Sabres’ jam-packed schedule has helped them make the best of a difficult situation and accommodate three goalies.

This week, Craig Anderson, Eric Comrie and rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have all earned starts. Luukkonen remained on the roster following Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, a sign he could play tonight’s road game against the Nashville Predators.

The Sabres also play Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and next Saturday. They have ... Read the full article

Sabres generate offense, fall to Jets, Connor Hellebuyck: ‘Like a sumo wrestler with athleticism’

BUFFALO – At 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, Connor Hellebuyck can be an imposing presence in net. The Winnipeg Jets goalie, the 2019-20 Vezina Trophy winner, plays even bigger than his hulking size might indicate.

Just ask Sabres coach Don Granato.

“Hellebuyck looked like a sumo wrestler with athleticism,” Granato said following Hellebuyck’s stellar 39-save effort in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Jets. “He was good. He was big and solid.”... Read the full article

Five-point game helps Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin earn NHL Third Star honors

BUFFALO – A dynamic five-point outing, the Sabres’ first by a defenseman since 1989, has earned Rasmus Dahlin NHL Third Star honors for the week ending Sunday.

Dahlin, 22, performed dominantly in Saturday’s thrilling 6-5 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild, recording two goals and three assists. His second goal tied the game late regulation before he assisted on winger Victor Olofsson’s game-winning score.

A Sabres defenseman hadn’t recorded a five-game game since Phil ... Read the full article

Brilliant outing by Rasmus Dahlin leads Sabres past Wild in OT: ‘He was a force’

BUFFALO – By the end of one of the most brilliant performances by a Sabres defenseman in their 53-year history, Rasmus Dahlin was exhausted.

Dahlin, having surpassed a minute on the ice, desperately wanted to get to the bench for a breather late in Saturday’s frantic overtime against the Minnesota Wild.

“I was going to, but I have to play defense,” Dahlin said following his dynamic two-goal, five-point performance in the Sabres’ thrilling 6-5 win. ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Asplund ‘resets’ after scratches; Ilya Lyubushkin skates

BUFFALO – Late last month, Rasmus Asplund began what he called a “reset.” The Sabres winger felt the details slipping in his game, and he struggled so badly he sat out five straight games as a healthy scratch.

“I just needed to reset everything, start on a new page and get back to my game,” Asplund said prior to Tuesday’s 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings at KeyBank Center.

That game, the Swede said, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt earns chance to showcase talents on top line

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Casey Mittelstadt’s gig on the top line is only temporary.

Center Tage Thompson and wingers Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch form one of the NHL’s most lethal scoring trios. When Skinner returns from his three-game suspension for cross-checking, he will likely assume his regular role as the left wing beside Thompson and Tuch.

“I don’t think I’m taking Skinny’s spot,” Mittelstadt joked following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner’s match penalty costs Sabres in OT loss to Penguins

BUFFALO – The edge Jeff Skinner possesses makes him one of the NHL’s most unique talents. Not only is the Sabres winger a top scorer, he’s also willing to go hard after opponents.

To wit: with 22 seconds left in the third period of Friday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jake Guentzel hit Sabres goalie Craig Anderson’s hand as he froze the puck. Skinner took umbrage and went after Guentzel.

Guentzel slashed Skinner ... Read the full article