‘”I have to learn from that. The plays happen so quickly here,” Luukkonen said. “You have to be ready. Even though your team might have the puck, the pressure comes hard in this league and the turnover is happening. You can’t do anything about it always. You just have to be more ready on those plays.”‘
Archives for April 28, 2021
The Wraparound: Lafreniere goal hands Luukkonen first loss as Sabres fall to Rangers
‘Luukkonen finished the game with 38 saves on 41 shots as the Rangers outshot Buffalo, 41-37, in a wide-open affair. Luukkonen made 19 saves on 20 shots in the second period. New York goalie Igor Shesterkin had an outstanding night with 36 saves, including 16 in a scoreless first period.’
Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks sharp, displays growing confidence
‘The 6-foot-4 Luukkonen challenged shooters, tracked shots through traffic and stood his ground as players whacked at second chances – all signs of the Finn’s confidence, according to Granato.’
Wednesday’s New York Coverage
Rangers facing massive decision with Islanders suddenly within striking distance (New York Post)
Brendan Smith turns into Rangers’ unsung hero (New York Post)
Rangers find a way to get must win over Sabres (Newsday)
Rangers’ Colin Blackwell shakes off soreness, plays against Sabres (Newsday)
Postgame takeaways: Alexis Lafrenière keeps finding reasons to smile as NY Rangers win (White Plains Journal News)
Photo gallery (NHL.com)
Lafreniere, Zibanejad help Rangers top Sabres, 3-1
‘“I liked his confidence tonight,” Sabres interim coach Don Granato said. “His body language was very good, he was into it. That was really nice to see, that’s a big one, that’s everything to be confident.”’
Sabres can’t capitalize against Rangers in loss
‘In the two-game set against the Rangers, the blue and gold were out-scored 9-4.’
Opinion: There were lots of chances and lots of shots, but the Sabres still lost 3-1
‘It was one of those periods where I told Brian Koziol at intermission that you dominate a period like that and then let the opponent off the hook, it often comes back to haunt you and sure enough, at 2:22 of the second period, Dylan Cozens made an ill advised pass right up the middle. It got out to the point to Brendan Smith. Jacob Bryson totally screened Luukkonen and the Rangers had a 1-0 lead.’
Opinion: Three Observations: Sabres can’t spoil possible Rangers’ playoff run
‘With Reinhart in his contract year, you have to wonder how high his price tag can go as he continues to play big minutes as their number one center for the Sabres. He’s producing and showing that he could be a great piece to keep hold of in the future for the Sabres.’
Luukkonen makes 38 saves as Sabres fall to Rangers 3-1
‘In the third period, the Rangers out-shot the Sabres 15-9 and scored two goals to the seal the win. Alexis Lafrenière scored to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead and four minutes later Mika Zibanejad doubled the lead with his 20th goal of the season.’
Rangers keep pace in East playoff race with win against Sabres
‘”We did a good job creating chances. We definitely could’ve limited a few more for them,” Buffalo center Casey Mittelstadt said. “But we created chances and the goalie played well. There’s sometimes where we’ve got to bear down and finish some of those. I guess that’s a positive. You always want to be creating chances. Some nights they’re going to go in and some nights they’re not.”‘