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Buffalo Sabres: Breaking down Luukkonen’s exceptional night

By Sion Fawkes

Jan 19, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes a glove save during the third period against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes a glove save during the third period against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres won on Ryan Miller Night and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was hot, again showing why he can be the starter. 

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen enjoyed yet another huge night in the net, finishing the evening with a 0.923 save percentage after saving 24 of 26 shots on goal. It was a night full of defensive meltdowns for the Sabres, forcing Luukkonen to channel his inner-Ryan Miller, and he did so with ease, with the exception of two measly plays.

Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders scored the first goal of the game, and it was one where Luukkonen had little to no chance of saving. Nelson skated down the left wing, took a last-second pass from Anthony Beauvillier, and just got the puck past Luukkonen.

The second goal came on what initially looked like a wrap-around from Casey Cizikis, before he passed to Matt Martin, who was skating up the left circle. The wide open Martin did the rest before Luukkonen could get over.

Luukkonen was stellar, even when the Buffalo Sabres defense wasn’t

The Sabres allowed multiple breakaways in last night’s contest, but Luukkonen stopped them. The most notable came with 13 minutes to go in the game, Cizikis broke free and looked like Tage Thompson for a second there with an incredible deke on Luukkonen. The Finn, however, pinned his skate against the net fast enough to keep the Sabres in a one goal deficit.

Luukkonen also made a key save toward the end of regulation on a play that looked eerily similar Nelson’s goal in the first frame. The save served as the catalyst for overtime, and it took Luukkonen’s Sabres just 12 seconds to seal the deal in this one.

Sabres sink the Islanders on Ryan Miller Night. light. Related Story

Overall, it was a remarkable performance for Luukkonen, and yet another in a string of solid outings. As it stands, he will continue to hold the top spot in the net, with Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie rotating in on an as-needed basis.

Article Source: Dylan Cozens’ overtime goal sends Sabres to win on Ryan Miller’s ‘special night’ by Lance Lysowski 

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