BUFFALO – After splitting time with Colten Ellis earlier this month, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start his fourth consecutive game tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.
While Luukkonen hasn’t recaptured the stellar form he showcased most of last season, he has been coach Lindy Ruff’s best option, often making big saves.
Since replacing a struggling Ellis on Oct. 12, the Finn has compiled a 2-0-2 record with a 3.25 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage in four outings.
Overall this season, Luukkonen has a .740 high-danger save percentage, according to NHL Edge.
“Sometimes you don’t spend enough time talking about that, (the big save), and you’ll spend time talking about, ‘Oh boy, I don’t know, I don’t like that goal,’” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center. “I know that as a group, we got better defending in us as a whole, and I think that’s affecting our group as a goaltending group.”
Right now, Luukkonen, 26, is under the microscope more than perhaps any goalie.
In the summer, the Sabres reportedly made a significant offer to the Winnipeg Jets to acquire disgruntled goalie Connor Hellebuyck, whose suspension from the team ends Friday, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
Until the Jets trade Hellebuyck, the Sabres will likely be linked to him.
Ruff, while not speaking specifically about any team or player, said Luukkonen is “aware” of the speculation surrounding him.
“He’s had his ups and downs, and I think we’ve seen some good hockey out of him, even through that,” Ruff said. “I think it’s part of what you have to deal with.”
In other news, Ruff said captain Rasmus Dahlin (upper body) and winger Jason Zucker (sports hernia) will return to the lineup tonight.