The Buffalo Sabres secured a 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday at KeyBank Center, highlighted by Beck Malenstyn’s breakaway goal late in the second period. The win comes as the Sabres continue their push for a playoff spot, now sitting three points behind the second wild-card position.
Malenstyn described his decisive play: “I knew Krebsy had a D-man on him. Kind of just assumed a D-man was stepping up on Kozy, so I maybe had a little bit of an advantage going up against a forward. Figured I’d give it a try and happy it worked out.”
Coach Lindy Ruff joked about Malenstyn’s performance: “I showed him my card and I said, ‘I’m taking you off as the second penalty killer – I’m bumping you to the first power play.’”
Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earned his third win of the season with 29 saves, including 13 in the third period. He credited his teammates’ defensive efforts: “They gave me a chance to take the initial shot, and they were boxing out really well, especially our D-men. Our forwards made some blocks, and our defense was really, really solid today.”
Ruff commented on Luukkonen’s contributions: “We kind of let them hang around (the game), but I thought when we gave up some good looks – and they’re a good team – he made the save that we needed.”
Luukkonen has posted back-to-back wins with a .925 save percentage and leads Buffalo goaltenders with a 2.68 goals-against average in six appearances this season.
Captain Rasmus Dahlin outlined what is expected from the team moving forward: “This is how we have to play every night: it’s competing, it’s skating, it’s doing the little things right, work for the team. That’s got to be our bare minimum. Then we can improve some other things.”
A controversial moment occurred when Jacob Bryson appeared to score for Buffalo early in the game but officials ruled goaltender interference by Zach Benson after review. Ruff disagreed with the decision: “I’m glad I’m not a betting man, because I would’ve lost a lot of money on that one,” he said. “It’s one I totally disagree on.” Dahlin added praise for his teammates’ composure during disputed calls: “Great job by us to keep calm on the bench and work through it,” he said.
Ryan McLeod recorded two primary assists—one setting up Alex Tuch’s opening goal during a power play and another assisting Jack Quinn’s game winner early in the second period. Their line with Jason Zucker led all lines in shot attempts and expected goals share during their time at even strength.
Tage Thompson scored into an empty net late in regulation to extend his goal-scoring streak to six games—the longest by any Sabre since Jason Pominville achieved six straight games with goals between October 20 and November 2, 2006.
Zach Benson returned from injury after missing ten games due to a lower-body issue; he played alongside Noah Ostlund and Tyson Kozak. Jordan Greenway did not dress as he continues recovery following multiple hernia surgeries over recent months. Ruff explained Greenway’s absence as part of an ongoing load-management plan focused on regaining strength before returning fully to action.
The Sabres will next travel to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday evening.
