The Buffalo Sabres are gearing up for their return to the ice, with back-to-back practice sessions at LECOM Harborcenter. As they prepare to face the Devils in Newark next Wednesday, the team is dealing with some lineup changes.
Notably, winger Zach Benson was absent from the ice, but center Josh Norris participated in full practice gear, signaling his readiness. The team also had all three goaltenders-Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis-on the ice.
Luukkonen, who sustained a lower-body injury during a 7-4 victory over Toronto on January 27, has had a tough stretch. This injury forced him to miss the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, where he was set to represent Team Finland.
Reflecting on the injury, Luukkonen shared, "You know when you tweak something, and it’s tough to gauge how severe it is right away. After the second goal against the Leafs, I knew something was off. Missing the Olympics was a tough pill to swallow."
Injury woes have been a recurring theme for Luukkonen, dating back to last summer when he suffered another lower-body injury just before training camp. Despite missing the first three weeks of the season, he managed to split goaltending duties with Lyon, posting an 11-7-2 record in 21 games. The Sabres have had their share of goalie injuries, making the depth at that position a crucial asset.
"The realization that the Olympics were out of reach was devastating," Luukkonen admitted. "It’s been a dream for a long time.
Our team has been performing well, and I was confident about contributing to the Olympic squad. Watching Finland play well is bittersweet; I’m thrilled for them, but it would’ve been special to join them."
As Finland prepares to face Team Canada in the medal round on Friday, they could potentially meet the winner of the USA-Slovakia matchup if they manage to upset the Canadians.
The Sabres continue to focus on their upcoming schedule, hoping to build momentum as they return to NHL action.