The Buffalo Sabres have been on an absolute tear since December, but they’ll have to keep the momentum going without one of the key pieces to their recent success. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to miss about a week with a lower-body injury, per WGR’s Paul Hamilton. It’s a tough break, especially given how instrumental Luukkonen has been during the Sabres’ surge.
Let’s put it in perspective: Buffalo has gone 20-6-1 in their last 27 games, a stretch that’s pushed them right into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The team’s save percentage over that span sits at .906-solid, but Luukkonen’s personal numbers have been even better. In 14 appearances, he’s posted a 9-4-1 record with a .908 save percentage, providing the kind of consistency in net that the Sabres have been searching for over the past few seasons.
With Luukkonen sidelined, the crease now belongs to Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis-at least until the Olympic break. And while losing a hot goalie is never ideal, Buffalo has reason to feel confident in the tandem, especially with the way Lyon has been playing.
Since December 1, Lyon has been nothing short of spectacular. The 33-year-old veteran has won nine of his last ten starts and boasts a .928 save percentage in that span.
That’s elite-level goaltending, and it’s come at exactly the right time for a Sabres team that’s found its rhythm. Lyon’s calm presence and ability to make timely saves have been a major factor in Buffalo’s climb up the standings.
As for Ellis, he’s still relatively untested at the NHL level, but he’s shown promise in the minors and could be called upon in spot duty. The Sabres won’t need him to be a star-just steady if his number is called. With Lyon in top form, Buffalo is hoping to ride the wave until Luukkonen is ready to return.
Around the Atlantic Division:
The Artemi Panarin trade chatter continues to swirl, but don’t expect the Florida Panthers to be at the front of the line-at least not right now. According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Panarin’s camp has reached out to several teams, including the Panthers, to gauge interest. However, there’s a major financial hurdle standing in the way: Panarin reportedly wants any trade to come with a contract extension, and Florida simply doesn’t have the cap space to make that happen.
That doesn’t mean the Panthers aren’t intrigued-they’ve been aggressive in the past when it comes to adding top-tier talent-but the logistics here are daunting. Unless something changes on the financial front, it’s hard to see a path forward for a deal between the two sides.
Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins are dealing with a key absence of their own. First-line center Elias Lindholm is out tonight and listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, per Steve Conroy of The Boston Herald.
That said, there’s a bit of uncertainty around the timeline. Lindholm is meeting with team doctors, and there’s a chance the injury could keep him out longer than initially expected.
For a Bruins team that leans heavily on its top line, Lindholm’s status will be one to watch closely. His two-way play and faceoff prowess are central to Boston’s game plan, and any extended absence would force some lineup juggling at a critical point in the season.
So, while the Sabres try to stay hot without Luukkonen, the rest of the Atlantic is dealing with its own questions-whether it’s trade deadline intrigue or injury concerns. One thing’s for sure: the division race is heating up, and every move, every shift, and every save is going to matter down the stretch.