Sabres' Luukkonen shines in shootout win over Kraken

Goaltender makes 32 saves in regulation and overtime, stops both shootout attempts

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:41am

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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves in regulation and overtime, and stopped both attempts in the shootout, helping the Buffalo Sabres rally for a 3-2 victory against the visiting Seattle Kraken on Saturday evening.

Why it matters

The win helps the Sabres maintain their position in the playoff race, as they look to end their postseason drought. Luukkonen's strong performance in net was crucial in securing the victory.

The details

Rasmus Dahlin and Peyton Krebs scored in regulation for the Sabres, while Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn scored in the shootout. Chandler Stephenson and Bobby McMann each had a goal and an assist for the Kraken, who took a 2-0 lead in the second period before the Sabres rallied.

  • The Kraken grabbed a 1-0 lead at 12:42 of the first period.
  • McMann extended the lead to 2-0 with his seventh goal in eight games at 13:18 of the second period.
  • Dahlin scored a power-play goal at 15:55 of the second period to make it 2-1.
  • Krebs tied the game 2-2 at 11:39 of the third period.

The players

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

The Buffalo Sabres goaltender who made 32 saves in regulation and overtime, and stopped both shootout attempts to secure the victory.

Rasmus Dahlin

The Sabres defenseman who scored a power-play goal in the second period to cut the Kraken's lead to 2-1.

Peyton Krebs

The Sabres forward who scored the game-tying goal in the third period to make it 2-2.

Chandler Stephenson

The Kraken forward who scored the team's first goal in the first period.

Bobby McMann

The Kraken forward who scored the team's second goal in the second period to make it 2-0.

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What’s next

The Sabres will look to build on this victory as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Kraken will aim to bounce back from the tough loss.

The takeaway

Luukkonen's outstanding performance in net was the key factor in the Sabres' comeback win, showcasing the team's resilience and the importance of strong goaltending in close games.