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 a 3.05 goals-against average and .907 save percentage as the Sabres crept within one point of a playoff spot.
Luukkonen has registered a 13-5-2 record with a 3.26 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage in 20 games this season.
He’s the first Sabres player to win Rookie of the Month since winger Victor Olofsson in December 2019.
