Sabres' UPL chooses Atlantic Division rival as NHL's best goal scorer

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has made nearly 5,100 saves during his seven-year NHL career, including eight against Edmonton Oilers sniper Leon Draisaitl, who leads the league with 18 goals early in the 2026-27 season.

Draisaitl wasn't UPL's choice as the NHL's best pure goal scorer, though. The veteran netminder selected Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield for that distinction during an appearance Tuesday on Sabres Live with Brian Duff and Marty Biron:

"It's a tough question almost to answer now because there's so many different type of players and guys who score in so many different ways, if you look at [Connor] McDavid and his speed. I mean, I'd say one of the guys we play a lot here, Cole Caufield. I think he's who I would throw out there just by pure shooting and all that. Being a shorter guy, I think — I mean, I wouldn't know, I'm a goalie — but it feels like he can shoot the puck from so many different angles. And, of course [Cutter] Gauthier and those guys too, but I think Caufield for me comes first to mind."

UPL on NHL's best goal scorers

Caufield certainly gets every ounce out of his 5-foot-8 frame.

The 25-year-old Wisconsin native has lit the lamp 180 times in 386 career games, including a career-high 51 goals last season when he finished second behind Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (53) in the Rocket Richard Trophy race.

Caufield has also enjoyed plenty of success against the Sabres. He's racked up 20 points (13 goals and seven assists) in 20 outings during the regular season and added five points during the teams' second-round playoff series earlier this year, which saw the Habs advance in seven games.

Buffalo and Montreal have already faced off twice this season, with the Canadiens winning both times, the first in overtime and the second in a shootout. Caufield scored three times against UPL in those contests, which perhaps played a role in the high praise from the Sabres netminder.

The clubs will next face off Dec. 18 at the KeyBank Center in downtown Buffalo.

Sabres, Canadiens locked in crowded Atlantic Division gauntlet

Right now, there's only a 10-point gap between first place in the Atlantic (the Boston Bruins at 27 points) and last place (the Detroit Red Wings at 17). It's the smallest difference of any division.

While things figure to spread out a bit over the course of 84 games, it's still shaping up to become a heated battle in one of North American sports' toughest divisions.

HockeyStats.com currently projects just an 11-point difference between the Atlantic champion Tampa Bay Lightning (106) and the sixth-place Sabres (95), who miss the postseason by two points in the outlet's ever-evolving predictions.

In that estimation, the division still gets the maximum of five playoff teams: the Bolts, Canadiens, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Along with Buffalo, the Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs miss out.

A lot of variables can change the forecast, of course. That's especially true when there's such a small margin for error for every club involved. A few key injuries or an untimely losing streak is enough to completely change the outlook.

If nothing else, it shows the importance of keeping a contention window open as long as possible. Buffalo and Montreal made strong postseason runs last season but, despite being young, promising teams, it's not guaranteed they'll be back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the spring.

The Sabres find themselves in position where some outside reinforcements may be necessary. Their offense has fallen off considerably so far, dropping from fifth to 21st in goals scored per game, and other areas (goaltending and special teams) have also caused issues.

Buffalo general manager Jarmo Kekalainen would be taking a risk if he decides to stick with the status quo given the immense strength of the Atlantic this season.

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