Nov

2024

Luukkonen’s Shutout and Zucker’s Goal Lead Sabres to 1-0 Win Over Kings

Game Summary

Final Score Recap – Buffalo Sabres vs. Los Angeles Kings – November 20, 2024

Score Summary:

Buffalo Sabres: 1
Los Angeles Kings: 0

Key Game Statistics

Shots on Goal:

Buffalo Sabres: 19
Los Angeles Kings: 23

Power Play Performance:

Buffalo Sabres Power Play Goals: 1 out of 3 opportunities
Los Angeles Kings Power Play Goals: 0 out of 5 opportunities

Sabres vs. Kings: Game Date and Location

Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California

Date: November 20, 2024

Sabres Edge Kings 1-0 Behind Zucker’s Goal and Luukkonen’s Shutout

The Buffalo Sabres secured a gritty 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena in a defensive battle that showcased stellar goaltending and timely execution. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earned his sixth career shutout, stopping all 23 shots he faced, while Jason Zucker scored the lone goal of the night.

After a scoreless first two periods marked by strong penalty kills and outstanding saves from both teams, Zucker capitalized on a power play just 38 seconds into the third. His deflection off Rasmus Dahlin‘s shot gave Buffalo the edge. The Kings mounted a furious attack in the final minutes, pulling their goalie for an extra skater, but Luukkonen stood firm, making key saves to preserve the lead.

The Sabres went 1-for-3 on the power play and blocked 18 shots in a strong defensive effort, matching the Kings’ physicality with 19 hits. Although they struggled in the faceoff circle (40.4%) and committed 19 giveaways, Buffalo’s resilience and Luukkonen’s heroics ensured the team left Los Angeles with two points.

Sabres vs. Los Angeles Kings: Period-by-Period Breakdown:

UPL Shines in Scoreless First Period as Kings and Sabres Battle

The Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings skated to a scoreless first period in a tightly contested opening frame. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (UPL) stood tall for the Sabres, making critical saves to keep the game knotted at zero despite the Kings’ strong start in the faceoff circle (57.9% success rate). Buffalo managed nine shots on goal compared to Los Angeles’ seven but went 0-for-1 on the power play. Meanwhile, the Kings’ power play will carry over into the second period with 35 seconds remaining after the Sabres successfully killed off the first half of the penalty. Physicality played a significant role, with the Kings delivering 12 hits to Buffalo’s five, and defensive battles continued to dominate as Los Angeles blocked eight shots.

UPL toe save on Kempe #sabrehood #gokingsgo pic.twitter.com/4VT0i7PT4Q
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) November 21, 2024

Sabres vs. Los Angeles Kings: First-Period Goals and Penalties

Sabres Goals: None

Kings Goals: None

First Period Penalties:

13:01 – Kings: Quinton Byfield Cross-checking against Sam Lafferty
18:35 – Sabres: Bowen Byram Hooking against Adrian Kempe

Sabres’ Penalties and Grit Define Scoreless Second Period

The Buffalo Sabres struggled to find their rhythm in the second period as penalties disrupted their momentum against the Los Angeles Kings. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen once again came up big, making critical saves to keep the game scoreless. Despite his efforts, the Sabres were outshot 6-3 in the frame, bringing the total shots to 12-12 through two periods. Discipline became a major concern for Buffalo, as repeated trips to the penalty box hindered their offensive opportunities. Forward Beck Malenstyn provided a gutsy moment, blocking a shot on the penalty kill and briefly leaving the game after taking the puck off his foot. Malenstyn later returned to the bench, a welcome sight for the Sabres, who will need to clean up their play if they hope to break the deadlock in the final period.

Sabres vs. Los Angeles Kings: Second-Period Goals and Penalties

Sabres Goals: None

Kings Goals: None

Second Period Penalties:

01:06 – Kings: Kevin Fiala High-sticking against Ryan McLeod
04:34 – Sabres: Alex Tuch Slashing against Phillip Danault
11:48 – Sabres: Jason Zucker Tripping against Trevor Moore
16:12 – Sabres: Rasmus Dahlin Delaying Game – Puck over glass
19:29 – Kings: Quinton Byfield Tripping against Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Zucker’s Deflection and UPL’s Heroics Secure Sabres Victory

Jason Zucker broke the scoreless deadlock early in the third period, redirecting a Rasmus Dahlin shot on the power play to give the Buffalo Sabres a crucial 1-0 lead. The Kings pressed hard in the final minutes, pulling their goalie for an extra attacker with 2:37 remaining. Despite sustained pressure and quality scoring chances, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stood tall, delivering a stellar performance to preserve the lead. His efforts earned him the sixth shutout of his NHL career, sealing a gritty victory for Buffalo.

Sabres vs. Los Angeles Kings: Third-Period Goals and Penalties

Sabres Goals:

Jason Zucker (4) (PPG) [Watch Highlight]
Assists: R. Dahlin (12), A. Tuch (13)

Kings Goals: None

Third Period Penalties:

11:20 – Sabres: Henri Jokiharju Tripping against Adrian Kempe

Three Stars of the Game

1.Jason Zucker – G: 1 | A: 0 | P: 1
Scored the game-winning goal early in the third period, providing the decisive moment in a tight contest.

2.Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – 23 Save Shutout | SV%: 1.000
Delivered a flawless 23-save shutout, earning his sixth career shutout and anchoring the Sabres’ victory.

3.David Rittich – GAA: 1.05 | SV%: .947
Kept the Kings in the game with a strong performance, stopping 18 of 19 shots faced for a .947 save percentage.

Key Takeaways from Sabres vs. Kings

Luukkonen’s Stellar Performance – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the cornerstone of the Sabres’ victory, stopping all 24 shots he faced for his sixth career shutout. His calm and composed play under pressure, especially during the Kings’ late-game surge, secured the win.

Zucker’s Timely Goal – Jason Zucker provided the game’s only offense with a critical power-play goal early in the third period. His ability to capitalize on a key opportunity underscored the importance of executing on special teams in a defensive battle.

Penalty Kill Resilience – The Sabres’ penalty kill proved vital, shutting down all five of the Kings’ power-play opportunities. Despite facing challenges with discipline, Buffalo’s defensive units and goaltending held firm to maintain their lead.

Condensed Game Highlights

Next Game: Sabres vs. Anaheim Ducks

The Buffalo Sabres continue their West Coast road trip with a back-to-back series starting on Friday, November 22nd, against the Anaheim Ducks at 10:00 PM EST. They’ll follow up with a game on Saturday, November 23rd, against the San Jose Sharks at 8:00 PM EST, concluding their California swing.

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