UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN NEWS

Jarmo Kekalainen's first priority as Buffalo Sabres new GM is building character and consistency

In his first full day as Sabres general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen pointed to Buffalo’s depth of talent for giving him every reason to believe the team can climb back into playoff c...

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Gets hook in Calgary Luukkonen gave up five goals on 22 shots before being replaced by Alex Lyon to begin the third period of Monday's 7-4 loss to the Flames.

Impact The 26-year-old netminder didn't have much chance on any of the pucks that got past him, two of which came on Calgary power plays, but his night ended early nonetheless. Luukkonen hadn't allowed more than three goals in an outing since Oct, 25, with Monday's performance snapping a stretch of eight starts in which he'd gone 4-4-0 despite a respectable 2.40 GAA and .904 save percentage. The Sabres continue to carry three goalies and get all three of them work, but Luukkonen may be nosing ahead in the battle for playing time despite this result.

DECEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

First goalie off Monday Luukkonen was the first goalie off during Monday's morning skate, per NHL.com, indicating that he'll draw the road start against Calgary.

Impact Luukkonen is coming off a road loss in Winnipeg on Friday, but he'll have a more favorable matchup Monday, as the Flames rank last in the NHL with 2.33 goals per game this season. Across his last five starts, Luukkonen has gone 3-2-0 with a 2.22 GAA and .906 save percentage.

DECEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Colten Ellis fits the Buffalo Sabres' need in net better than Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen It was only about two seasons ago when Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was considered one of the best goalies in the NHL. Now he seems to be the odd go...

DECEMBER 6 • SABRENOISE.COM

Beaten three times Friday Luukkonen stopped 19 of 22 shots in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Jets.

Impact Luukkonen was beaten once in the first period and twice in the second. The Jets added a fourth goal when the 26-year-old was on the bench and the Sabres had an extra attacker. Luukkonen remains inconsistent from a wins perspective, as he's gone 3-3-0 over his last six starts with a 2.39 GAA and a .905 save percentage.

DECEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Comrie makes 34 saves in Jets' 4-1 victory over the Sabres

Eric Comrie made 34 saves, Kyle Connor scored his team-leading 15th goal and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 on Friday night to avenge a road loss to start the week

DECEMBER 6 • Associated Press

BUF@WPG: Koepke scores goal against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | Winnipeg Jets Cole Koepke (WPG) scores goal against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF) to make it 3 - 1

DECEMBER 6 • NHL.COM

BUF@WPG: Connor scores goal against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | Winnipeg Jets Kyle Connor (WPG) scores goal against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF) to make it 1 - 0

DECEMBER 6 • NHL.COM

Between pipes against Jets Luukkonen will tend the twine on the road versus Winnipeg on Friday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.

Impact Luukkonen has seen his role reduced this season, playing in just eight of the Sabres' last 19 outings. In those appearances, the Finnish backstop has put up decent numbers, going 4-3-1 with a 2.51 GAA. While the Sabres continue to carry three netminders, at some point, Luukkonen will have to get more starts if he continues to perform at his current level.

DECEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Buffalo Sabres News and Rumors: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Isak Rosen, Bowen Byram The Buffalo Sabres are going to try and put their disappointing performance against the Philadelphia Flyers behind them as they return to th...

DECEMBER 5 • SABRENOISE.COM

Strong effort in win Luukkonen made 23 of 24 saves in Monday's 5-1 win over the Jets.

Impact Outside of the Jets' lone goal from Kyle Connor midway through the second period, Luukkonen shined in goal to pick up his third win in four tries. With his effort Monday, the 26-year-old netminder is up to a 4-3-1 record with a 2.51 GAA and an .899 save percentage through eight games this season. While the sample size is small due to missing the first two weeks of the season with a lower-body injury, UPL has numbers similar to the 2023-24 campaign, where he set a career high in wins and GAA. He has room to grow in his save percentage numbers, but performances like Monday's proved that he can keep the Sabres competitive defensively. With Buffalo currently just three points out of a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, the Sabres should vie for enough wins this season to keep Luukkonen as a solid streaming option in most fantasy formats. His next chance to take the ice is Wednesday at Philadelphia.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Norris scores twice in his return from injury to lead Sabres over Jets 5-1

Josh Norris scored two goals and added an assist in his first game back after aggravating an injury in the season opener and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 on Monday...

DECEMBER 2 • Associated Press

WPG@BUF: Connor scores goal against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | Winnipeg Jets Kyle Connor (WPG) scores goal against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF) to make it 4 - 1

DECEMBER 2 • NHL.COM

Slated to start Luukkonen is expected to patrol the home crease against Winnipeg on Monday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Impact Luukkonen allowed three goals on 18 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh, with the fourth goal being an empty-netter. He has a 3-3-1 record with a 2.79 GAA and an .891 save percentage across seven appearances this season. Winnipeg ranks 10th in the league with 3.13 goals per game this campaign.

DECEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

NHL Insider with surprising update on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen that Buffalo Sabres fans won't like It feels like it is at the point that the Buffalo Sabres have to do something to shake up their roster and the goalie position seems like th...

NOVEMBER 28 • SABRENOISE.COM

Gives up three goals Wednesday Luukkonen stopped 15 of 18 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Penguins. The fourth goal was an empty-netter with 58 seconds left in the game.

Impact Luukkonen was coming off back-to-back wins in his previous two outings against the Blackhawks and Hurricanes, a stretch in which he made 49 saves on 53 shots faced, but he wasn't able to keep that streak going in this one. Given that this was the first time Luukkonen has made three starts in a row this season, it wouldn't be surprising if he gets a day off sooner rather than later. The Sabres' next game is scheduled for Friday at home against the Devils, who average 3.13 goals scored per fixture.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Strong 3rd period pushes Penguins past Sabres, 4-2

Bryan Rust and Kevin Hayes scored in the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Wednesday night to snap a two-game losing streak

NOVEMBER 27 • Associated Press

Expected to start Wednesday Luukkonen is slated to start Wednesday in Pittsburgh, per Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.

Impact Luukkonen has won back-to-back games for the first time this season, stopping 49 of 53 shots (.925 save percentage) in victories over Chicago and Carolina on Friday and Sunday, respectively. The Finnish goaltender is 3-2-1 with a 2.67 GAA and an .897 save percentage across six appearances this season. After starting the year on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury, Luukkonen seems to be closing in on being the team's clear-cut No. 1 option, as Colten Ellis and Alex Lyon have received their share of starts in 2025-26.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Shines in goal Sunday Luukkonen made 29 saves on 30 attempts on goal in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Hurricanes.

Impact Despite the Hurricanes attempting 10 more shots on net than the Sabres, Luukkonen allowed just one power-play goal Sunday. The strong outing was his third win of the season, boosting his season totals to a 3-2-1 record, a 2.68 GAA and an .897 save percentage through six games. Sunday's outing was the 26-year-old goaltender's first of the season where he allowed one goal or less. Luukkonen has 20-plus wins in each of the past two seasons and is on to surpass that threshold if he can stay healthy. He proved that he can hang tough against one of the league's best offenses Sunday, giving him value as a solid streaming option in most two-goalie fantasy formats. After a few days of rest, Luukkonen's next chance to take the ice is Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Beck Malenstyn's spectacular goal helps Sabres beat East-leading Hurricanes 4-1

Beck Malenstyn scored a spectacular goal, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 28 saves and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Eastern Conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes 4-1

NOVEMBER 23 • Associated Press

CAR@BUF: Gostisbehere scores PPG against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | Carolina Hurricanes Shayne Gostisbehere (CAR) scores power-play goal against Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF) to make it 1 - 1

NOVEMBER 23 • NHL.COM

Starting once again Luukkonen will get the start for Sunday's game against the Hurricanes, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Impact Luukkonen is getting back-to-back starts for the first time this season and only his sixth start overall. The 26-year-old has a 2-2-1 record, 3.01 GAA and an .881 save percentage in his five appearances. The Hurricanes have scored at least three goals in five straight games and have the second best offense in the NHL at 3.62 goals per game, so Luukkonen will have his work cut out for him Sunday.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Starting once again Luukkonen will get the start for Sunday's game against the Hurricanes, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.

Impact Luukkonen is getting back-to-back starts for the first time this season and will make only his sixth start overall. The 26-year-old has a 2-2-1 record, 3.01 GAA and .881 save percentage in his five appearances. The Hurricanes have scored at least three goals in five straight games and boast the second-best offense in the NHL at 3.62 goals per game, so Luukkonen will have his work cut out for him Sunday.

NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Earns win over Chicago Luukkonen stopped 20 of 23 shots in Friday's 9-3 win over the Blackhawks.

Impact Luukkonen did a decent job between the posts, but considering he had the offensive support of nine goals, Luukkonen didn't need to be at his best to earn the win here. Luukkonen has made just four starts in November, as he seems to have fallen out of favor of late, but his recent performances won't help him regain the starting role. In these four November appearances, the 26-year-old has gone 2-2-0 with a 2.78 GAA and an .893 save percentage.

NOVEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Doan scores twice, Tuch adds 4 assists to help Sabres rout Blackhawks 9-3

Josh Doan scored twice for his second multi-goal game of the season, Alex Tuch had a career-high four assists and the Buffalo Sabres routed the Chicago Blackhawks 9-3 on Friday nig...

NOVEMBER 22 • Associated Press