Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Alex Lyon stays hot in win over Panthers, approaching NHL record

After inking a two-year, $3 million contract, Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon has quietly emerged as one of the NHL’s best bargains and perhaps the top free agent signing of last summer.

To wit: for $1.5 million this season, Lyon has compiled a 15-8-3 record with a 2.69 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 games.

Lyon dazzled in Friday’s 3-2 triumph over the Florida Panthers, stopping 27 shots to register ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin excited for long-awaited run to playoffs; Tage Thompson set to play

BUFFALO – As captain Rasmus Dahlin, still in full practice gear and sweaty from a long session, stood behind a podium fielding questions, the topic turned to the Sabres’ upcoming stretch of 25 games in 50 days to close the regular season.

For the first time in Dahlin’s career – he and center Tage Thompson, having both arrived in 2018-19, are the team’s longest-tenured players – the Sabres are in the driver’s seat for ... Read the full article

When will Tage Thompson return to the Sabres following the Olympics?

BUFFALO – In last Wednesday’s quarterfinal game between Team Sweden and Team USA at the Olympics, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said center Tage Thompson, his close friend and NHL teammate, had an opportunity to thump him.

“He decided not to hit me one time in the corner … so that was nice,” Dahlin said following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter, his first session after returning from the Milano Cortina Games. “I think he had a ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson, Team USA win gold medal in dramatic fashion

BUFFALO – When practice was set to begin at 10:30 Sunday morning, only two Sabres players, goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, had hit the ice alongside the coaching staff in LECOM Harborcenter.

The rest of the team was watching the dramatic conclusion of the gold medal clash between and Team USA and Team Canada at the Milano Cortina Games.

As overtime began, everyone on the ice skated to one end to watch a television ... Read the full article

After injury costs him Olympics, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen focused on earning playoff spot

BUFFALO – When reality set in and Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen realized his lower-body injury would force him to miss the Olympics, he felt crushed.

Luukkonen had long hoped he could represent Team Finland at the Milano Cortina Games, and early last month, he earned a coveted roster spot.

Then on Jan. 27 in Toronto, nine days before the NHL paused its season for the tournament, he tweaked something early in the Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Sabres’ UPL, Zach Benson near return; Jordan Greenway trying new treatment for injury

BUFFALO – In the near future, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and winger Zach Benson, both of whom were injured prior to the Olympic break, could start practicing again, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Luukkonen, whose lower-body injury forced him to miss the Milano Cortina Games, skated on his own Wednesday before the Sabres’ first post-break practice.

“He’s within days of joining us,” Ruff said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi happy with Rochester, no longer feels ‘rushed’

BRIGHTON – These days, Devon Levi possesses a narrow focus. Naturally, the Buffalo Sabres prospect thinks about his future. But by embracing what the present offers him, he believes he can achieve his ultimate goal of becoming an elite NHL goalie.

Almost three years after nearly backstopping the Sabres to an unlikely playoff berth just weeks out of college, Levi, 24, has spent all season with the Rochester Americans.

“I know that over time I’ll ... Read the full article

Sabres scratched Michael Kesselring to ‘just take a breath’

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing defenseman Michael Kesselring for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave the newcomer a chance to reset.

Having battled injuries all year, Kesselring hasn’t found much of a groove. Since training camp, he has dealt with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain he re-injured.

In his first 23 outings, he showcased glimpses of what made him a coveted return in the ... Read the full article

Injury will force Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to miss Olympics

Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s lower-body injury will force him to miss the upcoming Olympics.

Team Finland on Tuesday named Boston Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo as Luukkonen’s replacement for the Milano Cortina Games.

Luukkonen hasn’t played since getting injured early in last Tuesday’s 7-4 road win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.... Read the full article

Sabres blow late lead, lose tight game to Canadiens: ‘A matter of inches’

BUFFALO – A high-stakes late-January game in a packed, noisy building. The Sabres have waited for what feels like forever for nights like Saturday.

“We love playing these games,” captain Rasmus Dahlin said after the Sabres’ entertaining 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens ended their five-game win streak. “These are the type of games we want to be in.”

They’re also games the Sabres, who have registered an NHL-best 20-4-1 record since Dec. 9, must ... Read the full article