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The Buffalo Sabres staged a powerful comeback to defeat the Minnesota Wild in an exciting 3-2 victory on Saturday (Feb. 17). With simply 37 seconds left in regulation and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen pulled for an additional attacker, Dylan Cozens managed to tie the sport, sending it to additional time. Henri Jokiharju then sealed the win for the Sabres together with his aim simply 1:29 into additional time.
Luukkonen performed a vital function within the victory, making 31 saves to assist carry dwelling the win for Buffalo, solely their second victory in 5 video games because the All-Star Break. Casey Mittelstadt additionally scored for the Sabres.
The Wild, who had received 4 straight video games earlier than this match, have been unable to carry off the Sabres’ late surge. Cozens’ tying aim, which got here off a scramble in entrance of the web, confirmed Buffalo’s dedication to mount a profitable comeback towards a sizzling opponent coming into the sport.
Item 1: 3 Reasons the Sabres Won the Game
In my opinion, there are three the reason why the Sabres beat the Wild on Saturday. First, there’s nothing sweeter than coming again to safe a win. The Sabres’ late-game heroics have been precisely what they wanted, and Cozens got here by when it mattered most. He labored laborious in entrance of the opposition’s goalie to knock the puck throughout the aim line. No laborious work, no aim, and no additional time.
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Second, Jokiharju scored the winner for the Sabres early in additional time with a wrist shot from the highest of the slot. Despite being primarily identified for his defensive talents, he delivered the game-winning aim.
Third, as soon as once more, the Sabres had robust goaltending. Luukkonen stood tall within the crease, and his stable play saved his group within the sport regardless of encountering a ton of strain from the Wild’s offense. He made key saves at key occasions, which allowed the Sabres to hold within the sport.
Item 2: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Has Another Solid Game
More particularly, about Luukkonen’s stellar play, he made 30 saves within the sport and has continued to be a pleasing shock for the Sabres. Since the December break, he’s been on fireplace. Even given the Sabres’ iffy play at occasions, he’s put up a powerful 8-5-0 document. Of these wins, three have been shutouts. He’s additionally allowed simply 21 objectives over his 13 video games.
Related: 5 Things That Have Gone Right for the Sabres in 2023-24
Despite beginning the season behind the highly-touted Devon Levi, Luukkonen has grabbed the beginning goalie’s job together with his constantly robust video games. While it’s seemingly that the Sabres at the moment are out of competition for a wild-card spot – there’s simply too huge of a factors hole to beat – his dependable play makes him a useful asset for his group going ahead.
In fact, I had pegged the Sabres for a playoff group this season. Sadly, that received’t occur. However, Luukkonen’s emergence presents his group constant goaltending hope for the longer term. Now, if Levi can return to his final season’s type, I’m guessing that this group could possibly be set within the crease for the following few seasons.
Item 3: Henri Jokiharju Ends His Long Scoring Drought
Jokiharju had a standout sport by placing up his additional time aim and including an help to push the Sabres to their comeback win. This multiple-point sport marked the top of his extended scoring drought. He had gone 24 video games with no level and 31 video games with no aim.
Related: Buffalo Sabres Goalie Devon Levi: The Real Deal
Jokiharju sometimes doesn’t generate many factors. However, he has performed stable protection. On the season, he has put up a powerful plus-9 score. That’s the second-best score on the group.
Item 4: Kale Clague Returned to the AHL
Defenseman Kale Clague was returned to the group’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Rochester at the moment. The Regina, Saskatchewan native was chosen by the Los Angeles Kings within the second spherical (51st total) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He’s primarily performed within the AHL all through his profession, with stints within the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, and the Sabres.
Over his AHL profession, he has scored 52 factors (4 objectives, 48 assists) in 78 video games. Clague was a wholesome scratch in Saturday’s sport towards the Wild earlier than being returned to the AHL. He has shuttled between the AHL and NHL since being signed by the Sabres in July 2022.
What’s Next for the Sabres?
The Sabres have a packed schedule forward. They face off towards the Anaheim Ducks at dwelling on Monday. They return to the street as they head to Montreal to tackle the Canadiens on Wednesday after which transfer on to play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.
The Sabres then return dwelling to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, Feb. 25. With a number of video games in fast succession, they might want to preserve focus and power as they steer by this stretch of the season. However, if they might go on a little bit of a heater, they might pull their document above the .500 mark.
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