(WGR 550) – This season has been a good lesson in development for the Buffalo Sabres.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is taking the same path that we’ve seen this year from Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka and Peyton Krebs. All struggled to start the season, and all had to endure the comments that they’re busts, they should be in Rochester and they’ll never amount to anything.
Peterka started figuring it out first, and Quinn wasn’t far behind. About two weeks ago, Krebs was moved on a line with Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons and he’s been playing his best hockey of the season.
Now, it’s Luukkonen’s turn.
Of all of them, he took the most heat, but the Sabres' belief in him never waivered. They knew they had to keep putting him in net and let him figure things out, and it’s now happening for him too.
It started in Pittsburgh back on Dec. 10, where the 23-year-old looked like he was getting more confident. He stopped 28-of-31 shots in a 3-1 loss to the Penguins.
Then he rolled into Colorado and looked great, helping Buffalo get out to a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes. The team still worked hard in the third period, but they sagged badly, leaving it on their young goalie. Buffalo got outshot 17-1, but got the game into the garage thanks to Luukkonen’s stellar play and a 39-save night.
Luukkonen was even better in Vegas on Monday. He absolutely stole two points for his team, giving them a 3-0-0 road trip.
Luukkonen stood on his head, especially in the third period when his team hung him out once again. It was the same thing as in Colorado, as Buffalo went into the third up 3-0 and let their goalie make save-after-save - 21 of them to be exact - as the Sabres got outshot 23-5, and 43-18 on the game.
The Golden Knights were without Jack Eichel, but are still the top team in the Western Conference. It was also the Sabres' sixth win out of seven games on the road.
Eric Comrie is back practicing with the team, and that isn’t good news for Luukkonen. With injuries, the Sabres need their 23 roster spots, which won’t include carrying three goalies.
I’ve been very consistent in feeling Luukkonen should’ve been one of their two goalies from the start, but general manager Kevyn Adams didn’t share that opinion. A big reason Buffalo is on a four-game winning streak is the play of Luukkonen and Craig Anderson, who has let in two goals in his last two starts.
All year long, this team has been looking for consistent goaltending, and now they’re getting it. I think Adams will send Luukkonen back down when Comrie is ready, but what does that say to the youngster?
Adams and Don Granato preach that everything must be earned. Hasn’t Luukkonen earned the right to stay here and keep playing along with Anderson? Peterka, Quinn and Krebs have certainly earned their way.
I think Adams will think he has no choice and send Luukkonen down.
Peterka and Quinn have been going through a small rough patch. After the win in Arizona, Granato mentioned that he didn’t like their game along with center Dylan Cozens.
That continued Monday night, as Quinn and Peterka had only one shift in the third period. Cozens moved in to center Casey Mittelstadt and Victor Olofsson. That group was on the ice for the Golden Knights' first goal.
Buffalo gets a chance to catch its breath until Friday when the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning arrive to town.
Tampa Bay is in Toronto and Detroit before coming here. The Lightning have won five games in-a-row, and seven out of eight. In their last 16 games, Tampa Bay is 13-3-0 including a 6-5 win here in Buffalo.
