Luukkonen will protect the home goal versus the Sharks on Tuesday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. Luukkonen lost versus the Canadiens on Saturday, allowing three goals on 28 shots. He avoided a rematch with Montreal on Monday and will now start a day later in a favorable matchup versus the Sharks,

Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka scored for Buffalo but it was a quick night for goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who gave up two goals in the first eight minutes and was replaced by backup James Reimer, who finished with 26 saves.

Gets no help from teammates

Luukkonen will guard the home net Saturday against the Canadiens, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports. Luukkonen started Thursday in Carolina but was pulled early in the first period after allowing two goals on seven shots.

Gets early hook in Carolina

Guarding cage Thursday

Luukkonen stopped 16 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Ducks. He wasn't especially busy, but Luukkonen was still staring at a 2-0 deficit heading into the third period on two Anaheim power-play tallies before Buffalo's offense woke up in the final frame.

The Ducks rank last in the league with 2.52 goals per game, so Luukkonen is an excellent option for fantasy managers despite Tuesday's heavy 12-game slate.

Luukkonen is set to start at home against the Rangers on Saturday, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News. Luukkonen has an 18-16-4 record, 3.02 GAA and .895 save percentage in 39 outings in 2024-25.

Henri Jokiharju scored 9:31 into the third period to give the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks. JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch also scored and Dylan Cozens had three assists for Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 16 saves for the Sabres,

Alex Tuch and Jiri Kulich scored, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 25 saves for the Sabres, who have dropped two in a row and three of the last five.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen gave up 2 goals early and was replaced by backup James Reimer, who finished with 26 saves.