Buffalo Sabres need to start faster with Luukkonen in the net
Craig Anderson can bail the Buffalo Sabres out of having a bad period or two, but unfortunately, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen cannot.
It’s no secret that Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been abysmal in the net this season. While Craig Anderson is playing like a man ten years younger, Luukkonen looks like a man who should be toiling for the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones at this point.
The only reason Luukkonen is getting the nod over the likes of Malcolm Subban and Michael Houser at the moment is because of his age and draft status. And rightfully so, as when the Sabres called up Luukkonen, the 23-year-old was still, in many cases, a mystery, while we knew Subban and Houser had limitations.
Had Luukkonen been in the net last night, I’m convinced the Sabres would have been the ones in danger of being shutout 6-0. The Kings outshot the Blue and Gold 30-15 in the first two periods. And given Luukkonen’s 0.861 save percentage this year, odds are, he would have allowed four goals in that stretch. This would have forced the Sabres to play catch up hockey in the third period.
A fast start is the best move the Buffalo Sabres can make
In short, the Buffalo Sabres must start fast the next time they see Luukkonen between the pipes and give him a cushion to work with. However, they have also had a tough time maintaining leads at times this season. The Sabres would still need to focus on their overall positioning, avoid odd-man rushes, and high danger opportunities.
Last night, we saw that Anderson was more than capable of holding the fort down when the Sabres struggled offensively. We aren’t going to see this occur any time soon, if ever, with Luukkonen.
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The Sabres are heading out to Denver for a dance with the Colorado Avalanche. Most likely, we will see Luukkonen in the net for this one. And the Sabres need to give him all the help they can.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
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