Sabres return to Luukkonen in goal after back-to-back blowout losses to Habs

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) watches the puck during the second period in Game 2 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Boston Bruins Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

MONTREAL — The Buffalo Sabres are making a change in the crease after back-to-back lopsided losses in their second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen re-took his spot in the starter’s net at morning skate Tuesday ahead of Game 4 at the Bell Centre, replacing Alex Lyon with the Sabres trailing the Canadiens 2-1 in the best-of-seven matchup.

“I’m excited. This part of the year is all about winning,” Luukkonen said. “I’m just excited to go back there and help the team win.”

Luukkonen, set for his first appearance since April 21, added his approach is to “stick to what you know works.”

“Be comfortable with your game, trust in your own game, trust in your own stuff,” he said. “There’s no need to change anything at this point in the year, so just find your confidence and be confident with your own game.”

Luukkonen began the playoffs as Buffalo’s No. 1 after closing the regular season with a 12-2-1 record. The 27-year-old Finn was pulled for Lyon in the third period of a Game 2 loss to the Boston Bruins in the first round.

Lyon, a 33-year-old journeyman, posted a .955 save percentage and 1.14 goals-against average the rest of the series as the Sabres downed the Bruins in six games, but he has given up nine goals on 63 shots in his past two starts, largely due to sloppy defending.

The two netminders have split the crease all year long, each making 34 starts in the regular season as Buffalo snapped a 14-year playoff drought by topping the Atlantic Division with 109 points.

Luukkonen finished with a .910 save percentage and 2.52 GAA, while Lyon posted numbers of .907 and 2.77. Colton Ellis also started 14 games in a three-goalie system.

“It’s what we are, it’s what we have been the whole year,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “All three guys have been really important to our success to this point.”

In other Sabres lineup moves, defenceman Luke Schenn appeared to be entering the lineup for Logan Stanley and forward Konsta Helenius was set to replace Sam Carrick for his NHL playoff debut, not that Ruff would confirm the changes.

“How do you know he’s playing?” he said in response to a question about Schenn, who’d met with reporters minutes earlier.

Schenn, meanwhile, said he was “looking forward to jumping in” to the fast and physical series.

No changes were expected from the Canadiens after consecutive convincing wins. Montreal had multiple opportunities to take a commanding lead in the first round against the Lightning, but never managed to move ahead by two games.

“We’re expecting their best game of the series so far. We’re expecting that,” coach Martin St. Louis said of the Sabres. “You have to be alert, and we have lots of things that we can be better at.”

Taking notes

Arber Xhekaj was fined $3,385.42 on Monday after he punched Carrick as tempers flared between both teams late in Game 3. The bruising defenceman said it was important for the Canadiens to send a message after forward Beck Malenstyn, who was also fined, ran over Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes in the second period.

“We didn’t like some of the things they did,” Xhekaj said. “They ran Doby and they were throwing punches in every scrum at our guys, so at some point you got to push back, you know? And I think we did pretty well.”

Off the Schneid?

Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov led all rookies with 62 points this season but is still searching for his first career playoff goal through 15 games.

The skilful 20-year-old Russian has looked more dangerous in space against the Sabres, compared to the tight-checking opening round against the Lightning.

“I feel it’s coming, hopefully,” said Demidov, who has three assists in 10 games this post-season. “Maybe today.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2026.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press