Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Ugly showing in loss
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Luukkonen stopped 17 of 22 shots in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Predators. The sixth goal was an empty-netter.
Luukkonen was able to return from a one-game absence due to an undisclosed injury, but perhaps he shouldn't have. The Predators scored twice in each frame, with Filip Forsberg and Brady Skjei each potting two goals. Luukkonen has allowed at least three goals in six of his last nine games, going 5-4-0 in that span. He's now 18-16-4 with a 3.02 GAA and an .895 save percentage over 39 appearances. He'll represent Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but it's unclear if Luukkonen will play much behind Juuse Saros.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Set to play Saturday
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Luukkonen (undisclosed) is slated to start Saturday's road matchup against Nashville, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
After missing Tuesday's 3-2 win over Columbus, Luukkonen occupied the starter's crease during Saturday's morning skate. He has posted a record of 18-15-4 with two shutouts, a 2.97 GAA and an .897 save percentage through 38 appearances this season. Nashville ranks 31st in the league with 2.58 goals per game in 2024-25.
Luukkonen (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision ahead of Saturday's clash with Nashville, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Luukkonen didn't dress for Tuesday's game versus the Sabres due to his undisclosed injury but was back at practice Friday and could still get the starting nod versus the Predators. The 25-year-old backstop is riding a three-game winning streak during which he posted a 2.67 GAA and .902 save percentage. Still, with Luukkonen joining Team Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Sabres could decide to give him some extra rest and utilize James Reimer or Felix Sandstrom between the pipes Saturday.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Unavailable Tuesday
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Luukkonen (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup for Tuesday's home game against Columbus, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Luukkonen is dealing with a minor injury, meaning there's a chance he could return in Saturday's road matchup versus Nashville. Buffalo placed Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) on injured reserve to recall Felix Sandstrom from AHL Rochester on Tuesday. Due to Luukkonen's absence, Sandstrom will be James Reimer's backup against the Blue Jackets.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Victorious on home ice
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Luukkonen made 21 saves on 24 shots in Sunday's 4-3 win over New Jersey.
The Sabres rattled off three first-period goals in Sunday's win, but the Devils were able to make the game close over the final 40 minutes. Luukkonen has won three consecutive games and four of his last five. The 25-year-old has been Buffalo's unquestioned No. 1 netminder this season, and he should benefit from a break in the schedule when the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament begins Feb. 12. On the season, Luukkonen is sporting an 18-15-4 record, .897 save percentage and 2.97 GAA through 38 appearances.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Facing Devils
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Luukkonen will protect the home net against New Jersey on Sunday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
Luukkonen has won three of his last four outings, stopping 106 of 116 shots. He has a 17-15-4 record with a 2.97 GAA and an .898 save percentage through 37 appearances. New Jersey sits 12th in the league with 3.09 goals per game in 2024-25.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Gives up three goals Friday
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Luukkonen stopped 28 of 31 shots in Friday's 4-3 win over the Predators.
The 25-year-old goaltender has been an absolute workhorse for the Sabres in January, appearing in 10 of the team's 13 contests and posting solid results. Luukkonen has gone 6-3-1 with a 3.00 GAA and an .897 save percentage during that stretch and has won three of his last four outings. The Espoo native has a 17-15-4 record across 37 games in 2024-25 with a 2.97 GAA and an .898 save percentage.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Eighth win in last 13 games
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Luukkonen made 25 saves in a 7-2 win over Boston on Tuesday.
He allowed an even-strength goal to Mason Lohrei to open the game and then added a power-play goal by Brad Marchand. Luukkonen is on a roll -- he is 8-4-1 in his last 13 starts with a .906 save percentage. The Sabres sit last in the Eastern Conference with 43 points and a minus-15 goal differential. That's a better goal differential than the Bruins, who sport a minus-25. Except the Bruins sit in the first Wild Card spot. Luukkonen is a strong netminder. His value would go up even more with a bit of puck luck in the city of fires.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: In goal versus Bruins
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Luukkonen will start at home versus the Bruins on Tuesday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
Luukkonen is 4-3-1 in January, and he has played at a mediocre level with a 3.12 GAA and an .893 save percentage. The Bruins will be down three of their regulars on the blue line, so given Luukkonen's recent performance, this could end up being a high-scoring game.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Defeats Canucks
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Luukkonen stopped 31 of 33 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Canucks.
The Canucks took a 2-1 lead midway through the second period, but the Sabres' new-look top line pulled them ahead in the third. Luukkonen was able to make that lead last and earned his fourth win in his last six outings despite allowing 16 goals over that span. The 25-year-old is now 15-14-4 with a 2.99 GAA and an .897 save percentage over 34 starts this season. The Sabres' road trip continues in Calgary on Thursday.
Luukkonen (undisclosed) will guard the cage on the road against Vancouver on Tuesday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Luukkonen didn't dress for Monday's clash with the Kraken due to his undisclosed injury but appears to be no worse for the wear. In his last 10 outings, the 25-year-old netminder is sporting a 6-3-1 record to go with a 2.81 GAA, one shutout and a .903 save percentage. With Luukkonen cleared to play, James Reimer figures to serve as the No. 2 option after Devon Levi was shipped back to the minors.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Unlikely to play Monday
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Luukkonen (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Monday's road game against Seattle, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Luukkonen participated in Sunday's practice but has some nagging injury issues. Devon Levi could face the Kraken after being recalled from the AHL on Saturday, while James Reimer occupies the backup role. However, Luukkonen believes he could start Tuesday's road matchup versus Vancouver. He has a 14-14-4 record with a 3.02 GAA and an .896 save percentage through 33 appearances this season.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Outplayed in all facets Friday
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Luukkonen stopped 14 of 18 shots in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.
Luukkonen gave up a pair of goals in quick succession early in the second period, and the Penguins went 3-for-5 on the power play in the contest. It didn't help Luukkonen's cause that opposing goalie Alex Nedeljkovic put up a 40-save performance and added the empty-netter as well as an assist. Luukkonen is now 14-14-4 with a 3.02 GAA and an .896 save percentage after this poor outing. The Sabres begin a four-game road trip Monday in Seattle.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Slated to face Carolina
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Luukkonen is expected to start at home against the Hurricanes on Wednesday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Luukkonen will attempt to rebound after stopping just 23 of 28 shots in a 6-2 loss to Seattle on Saturday. He's 13-13-4 with a 3.02 GAA and an .896 save percentage in 31 outings in 2024-25. Carolina ranks sixth in goals per game with 3.34.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Gives up five in loss
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Luukkonen made 24 saves in a 6-2 loss to the Kraken on Saturday. He allowed five goals.
The Sabres fell apart after going up 2-0, and UPL had a rough night. He'd like to have a couple of those goals back. Luukkonen was coming off a 35-save shutout over Ottawa on Thursday, and he had won two straight. He's certainly talented, but playing behind the Sabres right now is an exercise in frustration for both him and fantasy managers.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Facing Avalanche
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Luukkonen will guard the road goal versus the Avalanche on Thursday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Luukkonen's winning streak was snapped at three games when he allowed three goals on 32 shots versus the Stars on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has played better lately after struggling heavily early in December. That said, this is a second straight tough matchup, as the Avalanche have scored at least four goals in five straight contests.
Luukkonen allowed three goals on 32 shots in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Stars. The fourth goal was an empty-netter.
Luukkonen had allowed just five goals over his last three games, all wins. The Stars were able to get to him a bit in the latter half of Tuesday's contest, though their second goal was a Jason Robertson tally directly off a turnover. Luukkonen slipped back to 11-12-3 with a 2.95 GAA and an .898 save percentage. The good news is the Sabres are back to being competitive, which should help Luukkonen have chances to earn wins. The team continues its road trip with another tough matchup in Colorado on Thursday.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Getting into groove
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Luukkonen turned aside 35 of 37 shots in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Blues.
Luukkonen was spectacular Sunday as the Sabres snuck out a win despite being heavily outplayed by the Blues. The Finnish netminder has won three consecutive games after going 0-6-1 through his first seven appearances in December. The 25-year-old improved to 11-11-3 with an .898 save percentage and a 2.95 GAA through 26 outings. Luukkonen will most likely draw the road start Tuesday in Dallas.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Set to start versus Chicago
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Luukkonen will protect the home goal versus the Blackhawks on Friday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
Luukkonen ended his personal nine-game skid when he stopped 27 of 28 shots versus the Islanders in a 7-1 win Monday. The 25-year-old Luukkonen will look to build some momentum now. The Blackhawks have averaged just 2.57 goals per game this season, so this is a favorable matchup for the Finnish netminder.
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Sabres' Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: Impressive vs. Isles
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Luukkonen stopped 27 of 28 shots in Monday's 7-1 win over the Islanders.
Luukkonen recorded his first win since Nov. 22 and was excellent in this contest. The only goal he surrendered was to Kyle Palmieri in the second period when Buffalo already had a five-goal advantage. This was also a huge bounce-back performance for Luukkonen, who, record aside, had posted a save percentage below the .720 mark in each of his last two starts while allowing 10 goals on 34 shots in that span. The Finnish netminder should remain Buffalo's top option between the pipes, but the team's overall struggles limit his upside considerably.