Buffalo Sabres News

Luukkonen is expected to start vs. Pittsburgh on Friday.

The Sabres will likely roll with Luukkonen between the pipes for a fifth straight game on Friday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Luukkonen was tremendous in his most recent outing, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in an impressive 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old Luukkonen has played well lately, posting a .911 SV% in his previous nine games (6-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -126 home favorites against a Penguins squad outscored 14-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Luukkonen will start vs. Carolina on Wednesday.

Luukkonen returns to the crease on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old Finnish netminder struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, but recorded a 35-save shutout in his previous contest, a 4-0 win over the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as +159 home underdogs.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Brannstrom has cleared waivers on Monday and is expected to be assigned to Abbotsford (AHL).

Brannstrom has not played since December 31st and was placed on waiver by the Canucks on Sunday The 25-year-old Brannstrom was the 15th-overall pick of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He has eight point (3G / 5A) in 28 games this season.

Erik Brannstrom
Malenstyn (illness) skated on Friday and will be a game-time decision vs. Seattle on Saturday.

Malenstyn has not played since January 4th due to an illness but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. The 26-year-old Malenstyn is averaging 10:30 time-on-ice, recording eight points (4G / 4A) in 40 games this season.

Beck Malenstyn
Luukkonen led the Sabres onto the ice for warmups.

The Sabres snapped a three-game losing skid with an impressive 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday when Luukkonen saved 25 of 28 shots (.893 SV%). The 25-year-old Luukkonen has a 3.05 GAA and .894 SV% in 29 appearances this season (12-12-4). The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as +140 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators squad outscored 11-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Luukkonen was the first goalie off the ice at Buffalo's morning skate.

The Sabres snapped a three-game losing skid with an impressive 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday when Luukkonen saved 25 of 28 shots (.893 SV%). The 25-year-old Luukkonen has a 3.05 GAA and .894 SV% in 29 appearances this season (12-12-4). The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as +140 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators squad outscored 11-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Kulich is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Kulich played only 5:18 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals with a lower-body injury. He has nine points (7G / 2A) in 31 games this season. The Sabres have recalled Tyson Kozak from Rochester (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Jiri Kulich
Kulich (lower-body) left Monday's game vs. Washington and did not return.

Kulich played only 5:18 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals with a lower-body injury. He has nine points (7G / 2A) in 31 games this season. The Sabres have recalled Tyson Kozak from Rochester (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Jiri Kulich
Kozak has been recalled from Rochester (AHL).

Kozak made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring one goal in three games. The 22-year-old forward was a seventh-round pick of the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 24 games with the Rochester Americans (AHL) this season.

Tyson Kozak
Bernard-Docker has a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss a minimum of five to seven weeks.

Bernard-Docker left practice early on Monday after suffering a high-ankle sprain. He needed assistance leaving the ice and will be out of the lineup until late February at the earliest. The 24-year-old Bernard-Docker was averaging 13:06 time-on-ice and had four points (1G / 3A) in 25 games before his injury.

Jacob Bernard-Docker
Luukkonen will start against the Capitals on Monday.

After a three-game winning streak, the Sabres have returned to the loss column, being outscored 13-8 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1). Luukkonen struggled in his previous outing, allowing six goals on 29 shots (.793 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has a 3.07 GAA and .894 SV% in 28 games this season (11-12-4). The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +126 home underdogs against a Washington Capitals club with points in three straights (2-0-1).

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen