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Buffalo Sabres News & Rumors: Luukkonen, Tuch, Dahlin, Granato

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On Tuesday night time (Nov. 7), the Buffalo Sabres performed a troublesome sport towards the Carolina Hurricanes. Ultimately, they got here up quick in a 3-2 additional time loss. The last final result apart, the Sabres have been taking part in higher. In this sport, they confirmed resilience and a don’t-quit spirit towards a troublesome Hurricanes crew. 

The Sabres showcased their sturdy defensive sport. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 24 saves, and Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin scored the targets.

Item One: Unfortunate Overtime Turnaround Seals Sabres Fate

In additional time, the Sabres saved possession of the puck for many of the first minute. However, as soon as the Sabres misplaced the puck, it didn’t take lengthy for Martin Necas to win the sport. He took benefit of a drained group of Buffalo gamers to redirect one previous Luukkonen from close to the crease. It was Necas’ second additional time winner of the season for the Hurricanes.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Buffalo Sabres
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The truth is that each groups performed properly, and the additional time final result was the very best state of affairs after such a powerful sport. Even Luukkonen mentioned as a lot. After the sport, he admitted that it was a useful and hard-earned level. 

Related: Sabres’ Greenway Supplies Grit For Skilled Team

He noted, “I thought we locked it down defensively to get the point, at least.”

Item Two: Alex Tuch Had Another Solid Game

Tuch delivered one other sturdy sport for the Sabres. He scored an unassisted purpose within the second interval. After solely registering an help in his first six video games of the season, he now has had 4 targets and 5 assists in his final seven video games. 

Item Three: Dahlin Scores Power-Play Goal in OT Loss

Rasmus Dahlin is wanting extra like a Norris Trophy candidate on a regular basis. Dahlin scored a third-period power-play purpose and contributed to the Sabres’ sturdy particular groups play. On the purpose, he began the play by passing the puck to himself off the boards as he crossed the Carolina blue line. He then weaved by way of three defenders and launched a seeing-eye snapshot from the faceoff circle. The puck beat Hurricanes’ goalie Antti Raanta.


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With his purpose, Dahlin elevated his season totals to a few targets and 11 factors in 13 video games. His strong 73-point efficiency throughout the 2022-23 season is likely to be solely the beginning of his offensive upturn. For positive, he’s a younger and gifted defenseman who’s turning into a rising NHL star. 

Related: Sabres What-Ifs: Drury, Briere & The Lockout

Dahlin continues to develop each his offensive and his defensive abilities. In addition to scoring, he additionally had two blocked pictures and registered a plus-1 ranking throughout the sport. The Sabres are relying on him to cause them to a profitable season.

Item Four: Luukkonen Was Not Quite Heroic Enough 

Luukkonen had one other sturdy sport within the crease, making essential saves to maintain his crew within the sport. However, he wasn’t fairly heroic sufficient final night time to hold the win.

Devon Levi Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Buffalo Sabres
Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

That mentioned, some extent is some extent, and he got here up with a number of key saves to assist the Sabres power additional time. His wonderful play gave his crew an opportunity, regardless of the relentless offensive push from the Hurricanes.

Related: Buffalo Sabres Goalie Devon Levi: The Real Deal

The 24-year-old has been dependable this season. He now has a 3-2-1 document with a 3.10 goals-against common (GAA) and a .899 save proportion. His statistics are bettering each sport as his consistency between the pipes is rising. Given the Sabres’ early-season decisions, it’s a bit shocking that Luukkonen has continued to be the go-to goaltender even after the return of Devon Levi from a lower-body damage. 

What’s Next for the Sabres?

Despite the loss, the Sabres left the ice with some extent and good emotions. Even their head coach, Don Granato, appreciated the crew’s sport. He commented on their resilience and response to the problem that Carolina had given them. 

Don Granato Buffalo Sabres
Don Granato, Head Coach of the Buffalo Sabres (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

As Granato famous, the game had a playoff-like intensity: “What a great atmosphere this is. It has a real playoff-atmosphere feel of intensity, and I thought our guys responded very well to it.” He famous that his crew is aware of they will play even higher.

The Sabres will face their subsequent problem after they return residence to play the Minnesota Wild on Friday, Nov. 10.

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