Sabres G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to start Game 4 vs. Canadiens

Field Level Media|published: 05/12/2026, 1:07pm EDT

May 8, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes his way to the ice before a game against the Montréal Canadiens in game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will return to the crease to start Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second-round series against the host Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.

Luukkonen will see his first action since allowing four goals on 20 shots in the Sabres' 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the first-round series.

He is replacing Alex Lyon, who yielded nine goals on 63 shots over the past two games -- both losses. The Canadiens hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Luukkonen, 27, posted a 22-9-3 record with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 35 games (34 starts) during the regular season.

The series returns to Buffalo for Game 5 on Thursday.

--Field Level Media