Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Owen Power feeling ‘pretty good’ after injury

BUFFALO – Almost halfway through the third period in Game 5, Sabres defenseman Owen Power slid into the end boards as he and Montreal Canadiens winger Alexandre Tessier raced to grab a loose puck.

After getting up, Power hobbled down the tunnel before returning to the bench. During breaks in the action, he tested the injury.

He felt well enough to return for two shifts in the final six minutes of Thursday’s 6-3 loss to ... Read the full article

Sabres blow leads in loss to Canadiens, on brink of elimination; Owen Power briefly leaves game injured

BUFFALO – Right now, things look bleak for the Sabres. After all, they’re staring down elimination following Thursday’s ugly 6-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

With a chance to go up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Sabres blew three leads before the game hit the halfway mark in KeyBank Center. One lasted nine seconds.

They imploded in the second period, allowing three goals and forcing coach Lindy Ruff to pull goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Zach Benson star as Sabres defeat Canadiens, even series: ‘Our belief never wavered’

MONTREAL – Last week, coach Lindy Ruff said he relayed a straightforward message to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as he patiently waited for his next opportunity to play.

“Your time will come, you got to be ready,” Ruff told him.

At the time, with goalie Alex Lyon performing so dynamically, Luukkonen might’ve felt his next start would materialize in the distant future. But Ruff has relied on two, sometimes three netminders all season.... Read the full article

In need of spark, Sabres turn to rookie Konsta Helenius versus Canadiens

MONTREAL – A week ago, shortly after center Konsta Helenius arrived in Buffalo to serve as a Black Ace, the Sabres promoted the rookie to the main practice group.

While the Sabres boast depth up front, Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, is a high-end young talent. By moving him up, they illustrated he could be an option during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Tuesday, in Game 4 of the Sabres’ second-round series, Helenius made ... Read the full article

Plenty of changes: Sabres expected to start Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and insert veteran and rookie

MONTREAL – Based on their morning skate, the Buffalo Sabres plan to make three lineup changes tonight for Game 4 of their second-round series against the Canadiens, including switching goalies to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

After the losing the last two games by a combined score of 11-3, the Sabres, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, also plan to dress rookie center Konsta Helenius and veteran defenseman Luke Schenn, a two-time Stanley Cup winner who offers ... Read the full article

As struggling Sabres look for answers, Lindy Ruff could change lineup

MONTREAL – In October, just a few games into the season, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff might offer little or no information about his lineup. So right now, in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he’s not going to divulge anything.

The Sabres, having fallen behind 2-1 to the Canadiens in the best-of-seven series and been outscored 11-3 in losing the last two games, might be ready to change some things for Game 4 ... Read the full article

Sabres implode after fast start in loss to Canadiens, fall behind in series: ‘Some adversity for us’

MONTREAL – Center Tage Thompson sat at his stall on Sunday, sounding unshaken as he calmly answered questions from a throng of reporters following the Buffalo Sabres’ ugly 6-2 loss to the Canadiens.

In losing by four goals for the second consecutive game, the Sabres fell behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven second-round series.

In the Canadiens, the Sabres, the NHL’s best team over the last five months, have possibly met their match.... Read the full article

Sabres expect Bell Centre atmosphere to be raucous; Buffalo could make one lineup change

MONTREAL – How crazy might it get tonight inside the Bell Centre?

The NHL’s largest rink becomes raucous on a weeknight in November. How loud might the more than 21,000 fans get for Game 3 of the second-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs between their beloved Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres?

“Our building’s been great,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this morning in the 4 Seasons Hotel Montreal. “I think theirs will be equal, ... Read the full article

After career-best regular season, goalie Alex Lyon becomes Sabres’ backbone: ‘Nothing short of sensational’

BUFFALO – It can be easy to forget now. Goalie Alex Lyon just performed dynamically while winning three games and backstopping the Sabres to their first postseason series win in 19 years.

But a few weeks ago, Lyon, 33, was a bit of an afterthought as the Sabres entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011.

In his last three starts of the regular season, he struggled mightily, posting a ghastly 6.24 ... Read the full article

Alex Lyon’s unique personality strikes chord with Sabres: ‘A guy who we’ve all grown to love’

BUFFALO – Alex Lyon loves to talk. Off the ice, the loquacious Sabres goalie, an affable, down-to-earth personality, always seems to offer some thoughtful words.

On planes rides, winger Josh Doan often has discussions with Lyon, who attended Yale University, about hockey and other subjects.

“We negotiate pretty good,” Doan said in KeyBank Center, where if the Sabres beat the Boston Bruins tonight in Game 5, they will win their first series in the Stanley ... Read the full article