Game 52: An unexpected thrashing of Los Angeles

As stunning as the Buffalo Sabres 7-0 win against the Kings was, the offensive release was very much needed.

BUFFALO — The way the Buffalo Sabres have piled up shots in recent games could’ve fooled everyone into thinking they were eventually going to have an offensive explosion. If there’s been anything predictable about their play of late it’s that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen would at least give them a puncher’s chance to win because of how well he’s performed this season.

With the stumbling Los Angeles Kings in town, both things turned out to be true. Luukkonen stopped 33 shots en route to his fourth shutout of the season in a 7-0 blowout Sabres win.

Jordan Greenway had two goals and an assist and four other Sabres had two points. Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka, and Rasmus Dahlin each had a goal and an assist and Jacob Bryson had two helpers, including one to rookie Zach Benson for his first goal since December 15.

“I try to keep a level head,” Luukkonen said. “I think when we’re winning, it’s easier. But last couple games before this we were outshooting teams and I think those are the harder games to kind of keep a level head when we’re getting all the offense and you can’t score. In the end, you just have to face every shot the same. It doesn’t matter what point in the game it is.”

More on a huge offensive output and yet another brilliant game from Luukkonen ahead…