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Sabres sticking with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for critical Game 5
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- Sabres sticking with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for critical Game 5
Sabres sticking with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for critical Game 5 appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
After the Buffalo Sabres grabbed the early advantage over the Montreal Canadiens in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series by winning Game 1 on home ice, the Canadiens returned the favor with two straight victories.
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For their critical Game 4 against Montreal on the road on Tuesday, the Sabres once again switched up their goaltenders. Head coach Lindy Ruff inserted Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen into the starter's position for Alex Lyon , who had a subpar two straight games, and the Finnish netminder responded by making 29 saves in their 3-2 win to tie the series at two wins apiece.
Game 5 is on Thursday evening back in Buffalo, and all indications point toward Luukkonen getting his second consecutive start between the pipes. According to a video provided by Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News, Luukkonen is in the starter's net for Thursday morning's practice.
For Luukkonen, it was his first start since April 21, when he was replaced by Lyon in Game 2 of their opening round series against the Boston Bruins . Afterward, Luukkonen credited his teammates for helping pick up the critical victory in a hostile environment like Bell Centre.
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"We kind of took their speed away in the third period," Luukkonen said via NHL.com. "We didn't give them much, so it was a good fight, and we kind of stuck with it. We knew that we can win the game, and the power play came up big, and it was just fun to see how much the guys were putting on the line today."
Game 5 between the Sabres and Canadiens is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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Related: Lindy Ruff points out where Sabres failed despite Game 4 win vs. Canadiens
