Las Vegas, Nev. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Sabres defended a 1-0 lead for over 40 minutes on Tuesday in Vegas, thanks to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s best game in a Buffalo uniform.
Luukkonen registered a 27-save shutout in a 2-0 win over the Golden Knights, where he made numerous Grade-A saves.
Pavel Dorofeyev has 34 goals this season, but Luukkonen robbed him so many times, the Russian was left shaking his head by game’s end.
Since Dec. 21 in New Jersey, Luukkonen is 12-3-1 with a goals-against average of 2.42 and a save percentage of .921.
You can just see the confidence the 27-year-old has in net. He’s fighting for his ice, and is calm and under control in the crease.
Adin Hill was also good for Vegas, but he didn’t have to make near the quality of saves that Luukkonen did. The Sabres wasted most of the outnumbered situations they created by passing the puck from a wide-open shooter to a covered teammate.
The only goal of the game that beat either goaltender came late in the first period when Hill misplayed the puck behind the net to Josh Doan, who had Josh Norris in front. Doan ended up banking the puck in off the goaltender.
Norris made it 2-0 with an empty net goal.
This wasn’t a typical 1-0 game, though. I thought both teams skated well, which caused turnovers and led to many good scoring opportunities.
Zach Metsa was in the lineup again where he should be for the Sabres. He was paired with Logan Stanley, and it seemed like the rookie had a calming effect on the newcomer.
Metsa made a very smart play in the second period, where he looked up and caught the Golden Knights in a change, springing Noah Ostlund with a stretch pass and producing a 2-on-1.
Ostlund could’ve walked down the slot for a shot or a deke, but he tried to pass to a covered Tage Thompson, resulting in a turnover.
Alex Tuch wasn’t able to play due to illness, so head coach Lindy Ruff moved Thompson to the wing and Ostlund to center on the line.
This game was another example of the Sabres doing a great job of defending a one-goal lead. They’re showing they can beat you by scoring goals, and they can also beat you with good defense.
The Sabres established a franchise record, picking up points in 11-straight road games. They’re 10-0-1 during that time.
They also tied the Carolina Hurricanes for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 90 points. The Canes still lead Buffalo by points percentage, .672-to-.662. The Tampa Bay Lightning not far behind are .652.
Ruff is going to keep the team off the ice Wednesday in San Jose before they play the Sharks on Thursday night.
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