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Sabres' Luukkonen Eyes Playoffs After Olympic Injury Setback
Buffalo goalie focused on recovery and helping team end 14-year playoff drought
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered a lower-body injury in late January, forcing him to miss the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. After the disappointment of missing the Olympics, Luukkonen is now focused on recovering and helping the Sabres make the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.
Why it matters
Luukkonen has been a key part of the Sabres' surprising playoff push this season, and his return to full strength will be crucial as the team tries to end its lengthy postseason drought. The Sabres currently hold a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, setting up an exciting finish to the season.
The details
Luukkonen suffered the injury on January 27 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, just days before the NHL paused its season for the Olympics. Finland named Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo as Luukkonen's replacement. Despite the disappointment, Luukkonen has shifted his focus to the Sabres' playoff push, with 25 games remaining in the regular season.
- Luukkonen suffered the injury on January 27 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Finland named Joonas Korpisalo as Luukkonen's replacement on the Olympic roster on February 3.
The players
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Buffalo Sabres goaltender who suffered a lower-body injury in late January, forcing him to miss the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Joonas Korpisalo
Boston Bruins goaltender who was named as Luukkonen's replacement on the Finnish Olympic team.
Buffalo Sabres
NHL team that currently holds a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and is aiming to end a 14-year playoff drought.
What they’re saying
“The couple days after that were pretty miserable for me to kind of know that I'm going to miss it,”
— Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (theconwaybulletin.com)
“Kind of devastating to know that you can't make it,”
— Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (theconwaybulletin.com)
“It's something that's been in the back of my mind for a long time.”
— Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (theconwaybulletin.com)
“We have something special going on right now, and being healthy for that again, I think that's what mentally has gotten me through (the injury), too.”
— Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (theconwaybulletin.com)
“The little bit of time we have before the games even start is going to be good for me,”
— Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (theconwaybulletin.com)
What’s next
The Sabres will resume play against the New Jersey Devils as Luukkonen continues his recovery and aims to contribute to the team's playoff push.
The takeaway
Luukkonen's injury recovery is a key storyline for the Sabres as they try to end their 14-year playoff drought. His ability to return to full strength will be critical in the team's significant push for postseason qualification.
