Luukkonen Returns for Game 4 as Sabres Score Reset in Montreal

sabres score takes a turn Tuesday: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start in goal against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Second Round. Buffalo trails the series, and the move comes after Alex Lyon handled the previous seven games.

Luukkonen Back in Montreal

Luukkonen last went in after Alex Lyon replaced him in Game 2 of the first round against the Boston Bruins on April 21. Now the Sabres are turning back to him in a best-of-seven series that has already pushed the pressure onto every opening shift.

Montreal has scored 11 goals in its two wins, and the Canadiens can become the first team to take a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series for the 30th time. Teams that have done that are 29-0, so Buffalo walks into Game 4 trying to keep the series from tilting hard in one direction.

Buffalo’s Lineup Options

Luke Schenn and Konsta Helenius are both possible lineup changes for Buffalo. Schenn could replace Logan Stanley on defense, while Helenius is an option for Sam Carrick at forward.

That gives the Sabres a chance to adjust more than one spot around the goaltending change, with Lindy Ruff facing a roster that has now lost consecutive games. Buffalo’s previous seven games in net went to Lyon, but he allowed five goals on 36 shots in Sunday’s 6-2 loss in Game 3.

Early Goals Keep Deciding It

Buffalo has already seen the series swing on fast starts. Josh Doan scored at 4:31 of the first period in Game 1 to send the Sabres to a 4-2 win, then Alex Newhook struck 1:36 after the opening face-off in Game 2 and Mike Matheson added another at 4:27 in Montreal’s 5-1 win.

Game 3 followed the same pattern when Tage Thompson scored 53 seconds into the first period before Montreal pulled away 6-2. Phillip Danault called Game 4 a big chance to go 3-1, and Buffalo’s response now starts with Luukkonen in the crease.