Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After stint with Rochester, goalie Devon Levi returns to Sabres on top of game

BUFFALO – In the moments following last Friday’s 3-2 win, goalie Devon Levi earned the eagle head, the award given to the Rochester Americans’ player of the game, and enjoyed a special moment with his new teammates.

Levi, 21, had performed dynamically in his AHL debut, making 40 saves against the Belleville Senators and stopping all four of their shootout attempts.

When he received the eagle head in the CAA Arena visiting dressing room, he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin day to day; Jack Quinn makes step in injury recovery

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who’s battling a lower-body injury, missed today’s practice but is “a possibility” for Saturday’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens, coach Don Granato said.

Granato said Dahlin and goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who has been sick, are both day to day. Luukkonen will miss Saturday’s game.

Dahlin sat out Thursday’s 3-1 road win over the Boston Bruins.... Read the full article

Sabres acquire Eric Robinson in trade with Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – In Eric Robinson, the Sabres on Wednesday traded for a third- or fourth-line winger capable of killing penalties and providing some much-needed energy.

Having lost four straight games and five of their last six, the reeling Sabres needed to make a move, and while the 6-foot-2, 201-pound Robinson is hardly a star, he can certainly help.

In recent games, they’ve looked soft, regularly losing battles and showcasing little pushback. With veteran winger Zemgus ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tage Thompson returns from injury; Alex Tuch could play soon

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson said he originally expected the left hand injury he suffered on Nov. 14 would sideline him four to six weeks.

“Things progressed a little quicker,” Thompson said prior to recording an assist in Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in KeyBank Center. “X-rays came back good.”

Thompson’s injury healed so quickly that he returned in just three weeks. Despite the layoff, he played after participating in just ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson ready to return from injury; Sabres to make roster moves

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson said he originally expected the left hand injury he suffered on Nov. 14 would sideline him four to six weeks.

“Things progressed a little quicker,” Thompson said after skating with his teammates this morning in KeyBank Center. “X-rays came back good.”

Thompson’s injury healed so quickly that he will return ahead of schedule for tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.

“Happily surprised,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “We ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres lose game to Predators, Alex Tuch to injury

BUFFALO – Things keep getting worse for the Sabres. Not only did they lose again Sunday, their third straight setback and fourth in the last five games, winger Alex Tuch appeared to suffer a hamstring injury chasing down Filip Forsberg on a breakaway.

Tuch departed the 2-1 loss to the Nashville Predators about 7:34 into the third period and did not return. As Forsberg zoomed in on goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tuch grabbed his hamstring and ... Read the full article

After battling adversity, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen becoming No. 1 goalie Sabres envisioned

BUFFALO – That miraculous save was a result of Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s experience and growing confidence, not luck.

Sure, it helped that Jimmy Vesey couldn’t lift the puck high as Luukkonen lunged across the crease during the third period of Monday’s 5-1 road win over the New York Rangers.

Still, the Finn, Sabres coach Don Granato explained, now reads plays so well he knew Vesey was lurking in the left circle, waiting for Erik ... Read the full article

Sabres believe goalie Devon Levi will embrace assignment to Rochester, develop with Amerks

BUFFALO – As the Sabres’ decision-makers examined the upcoming schedule, they saw saw limited opportunities here for rookie goalie Devon Levi.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has emerged as the Sabres’ best goalie, and they want to award him more starts. If they kept three netminders, Levi would’ve played perhaps once a week. Following tonight’s road game against the St. Louis Blues, the Sabres play 15 times in December, meaning practice time will be limited.

So on Tuesday, ... Read the full article

Sabres send rookie goalie Devon Levi to Rochester Amerks

As Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen recently emerged as the Buffalo Sabres’ top option in net, the end of their three-goalie rotation seemed imminent.

In winning three straight starts, Luukkonen has performed like the No. 1 netminder the Sabres envisioned years ago.

Something had to give and on Tuesday the Sabres sent rookie goalie Devon Levi, who started the first four games this season, to the Rochester Americans.

Going forward, Luukkonen will likely be the starter and be ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back after Kyle Okposo talk, beat Penguins; Buffalo likely to recall forward from Amerks

BUFFALO – By the end of Friday’s second period, the Sabres had reached what captain Kyle Okposo acknowledged was a desperate situation.

Most of the season, they haven’t showcased the aggressive style that made their offense so lethal last year. They’ve struggled to score goals and find any consistency.

After 40 minutes against the Penguins, the Sabres trailed 2-0 and were in danger of losing for the fifth time in six outings.... Read the full article