Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen makes 19 saves for 2nd straight shutout, Sabres beat Blackhawks 3-0
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Rem Pitlick #20 and Alex Vlasic #72 of the Chicago Blackhawks upset Jack Quinn #22 of the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on January 18, 2024 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Pitlick received a penalty on the
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 19 saves for his second consecutive shutout and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 on Thursday night in a game moved back a day because of snow.
Zemgus Girgensons, JJ Peterka and Rasmus Dahlin scored.
Luukkonen had his third career NHL shutout, also beating San Jose 3-0 on Monday. His best save came with 5:45 remaining when he stopped Reese Johnson from close range on a 2-on-1 opportunity.
"He’s a young goalie and a young guy that continues to get better every day through the right practices," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "He’s very adamant about making himself better. He’s using every experience that he’s been given, every opportunity he’s had over the last year to become better."
Arvid Soderblom made 28 saves for struggling Chicago. The Blackhawks have two victories in their last 11 games.
"We just didn’t generate enough offense obviously with no goals," Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said. "Really not enough offense to have a chance to win in this league. We’ve got to definitely try and do a better job to support our goaltending with some more goal support."
Girgensons opened the scoring with 7:33 remaining in the second period. He redirected a shot from defenseman Ryan Johnson in front of the net.
Peterka made it 2-0 at 2:57 of the third on a shot that came from behind the Chicago goal line. Peterka’s shot ricocheted off Soderblom’s right shoulder into the net.
Blackhawks center Philipp Kurashev received a five-minute major for boarding 5:19 into the third following a dangerous hit that sent defenseman Erik Johnson into the boards head first.
Dahlin made it 3-0 on the ensuing power play, scoring at 6:06. Dahlin’s long shot was deflected by Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic into the Chicago net.
"We’re playing with mojo right now," Dahlin said. "We’re not afraid to make plays, and we back up each other if someone messes up. We’re playing a good team game right now."
Dahlin received a unique penalty for the Sabres five minutes into the second period. As he prepared to exit the penalty box, Dahlin played the puck with his stick before his feet hit the ice — so the Sabres received a team penalty for bench interference.
UP NEXT:
Blackhawks: Host the New York Islanders on Friday night.
Sabres: Host Tampa Bay on Saturday.