Three of the best Sabres’ goal saves of the 2023-24 season

My previous story, Five of the Best Sabres’ Goals of the 2023-24 Season, covered five of the Blue and Gold’s top goals from the past hockey year. While Sabres supporters wait for the regular season to return, it’s time to revisit some of 2023-24’s best goal saves.

UPL robs Vesey’s open net opportunity, Nov. 27, 2023

The New York Rangers are one of the NHL’s more competitive teams and the Sabres have enjoyed a nearly even, win some, lose some record versus the Blue Shirts. Buffalo’s matchup against New York on Nov. 27, 2023, was one-sided in the Sabres’ favor. However, it could have been closer if not for goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s incredible save that limited the Rangers to one goal that night.

After JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch scored an unanswered goal each in the first and second periods, respectively, New York forward Jimmy Vesey had a great scoring chance early in the third. Rght winger Blake Wheeler passed the puck to Vesey, who shot it at Buffalo’s open net.

Luukkonen dove with his stick in a tremendous effort that robbed Vesey blind. UPL blocked 25 of 26 shots in that game, but his save against Vesey was a thing of beauty. The Sabres would win it 5-1, while Mika Zibanejad netted the Rangers’ lone goal later that final period.

Levi blocks Caulfield with a toe save, Dec. 9, 2023

Less than two weeks later, backup goalie Devon Levi had his chance to shine against the Montreal Canadiens. Levi allowed two goals in the second period, when Jayden Struble tipped the puck in midway through the second and Nick Suzuki beat him with a wrist shot less than a minute later to put Montreal up by a pair.

Those would be the last goals Levi let in during regulation. Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo tied the score with a goal each in the third period. Canadiens forward Cole Caulfield had the opportunity to get the lead in the middle of the third. However, Levi kept things even, dragging his foot across the side of the crease to shut the door on Caulfield’s shot.

Levi’s save forced an overtime. While the Sabres lost in OT, No. 27’s spectacular save helped the Sabres snag a point.

Luukkonen beats Bertuzzi with a glove save, Mar. 30, 2024

Toward the end of the season the Sabres faced the Toronto Maple Leafs for the year’s final meeting. Unfortunately, the Leafs shut out the Sabres 3-0, which made the mostly Blue and White crowd that inundated downtown Buffalo ecstatic.

Starting Buffalo netminder UPL still made a great save, beating Toronto pest Tyler Bertuzzi three and a half minutes into the second period. Bertuzzi tried to shovel pass the puck across the crease to forward Max Domi, but Luukkonen stoned Bertuzzi, making a glove save. Outnumbered Sabres fans immediately roared “Luuuukkee!!”, no doubt causing the invaders in the stands consternation.

The Leafs still left KeyBank Center with the win, but UPL’s outstanding save showed everyone why he remains Buffalo’s starting goalie.