Team Finland’s Olympic goaltending situation just took another twist. Buffalo Sabres netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is officially out of the tournament with a lower-body injury, and Joonas Korpisalo of the Boston Bruins has been called in as his replacement.
It’s a tough break for Luukkonen, who’s had a bit of a rollercoaster over the past year. After a down season in 2024-25, he’s rebounded nicely this year with a 2.73 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage over 21 games for Buffalo.
But injuries have been a recurring issue - dating back to training camp - and he most recently exited a Jan. 27 win over Toronto with the same lower-body ailment. He’s now on injured reserve, and while missing the Olympics is a blow, the silver lining is that he’ll have time to rest up and rejoin the Sabres’ playoff push down the stretch.
Luukkonen wasn’t a lock to start for Finland anyway, with Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen already on the roster. But his absence still leaves Finland’s goaltending depth looking a little shaky - and after what we saw at the 4 Nations Face-Off, that’s a real concern.
Saros is still the presumed No. 1, but his recent form has been far from his peak. He started one game at the 4 Nations tournament - a rough 6-1 loss to Team USA - and finished the event with an 0-2 record, a 3.96 GAA, and an .870 save percentage. Not exactly confidence-inspiring numbers for a guy who once looked like one of the NHL’s most reliable goaltenders.
Lankinen didn’t do much to seize the job either. He went 1-1 in his two starts but struggled mightily with a 4.84 GAA and an .811 save percentage.
In total, Finland gave up 13 goals in three games - the most of any team at the tournament. That’s not a stat you want to carry into the Olympics.
Fast forward to this season, and the picture hasn’t gotten much clearer. Saros has logged 43 games for the Predators but is sitting on a .893 save percentage and a 3.13 GAA - both well below his usual standard.
Lankinen, now with the Canucks, has also taken a step back. His 3.62 GAA and .877 save percentage in 31 games are a far cry from the breakout campaign he had not long ago.
Enter Korpisalo. The 31-year-old has had an up-and-down season in Boston, posting a 3.12 GAA and .895 save percentage in 21 games.
But here’s the interesting part: according to MoneyPuck’s goals saved above expected model - a stat that tries to account for shot quality - Korpisalo actually ranks the highest of Finland’s three goalies this season. Among 51 goalies who’ve played at least 20 games, he’s 34th in that metric.
Lankinen is 42nd, and Saros is 46th.
That doesn’t mean Korpisalo is suddenly the favorite to start, but it does suggest he could be more than just a depth option. If Finland’s goaltending continues to falter, don’t be surprised if Korpisalo gets a shot to stabilize things between the pipes.
The bottom line? Finland’s path to a medal is going to require more than just solid team defense - they’ll need someone to step up in goal.
Whether that’s Saros rediscovering his elite form, Lankinen bouncing back, or Korpisalo grabbing the reins, something’s got to give. Because if the 4 Nations tournament was any indication, goaltending could be the difference between a podium finish and an early exit.