The Canucks took a 2-1 lead midway through the second period, but the Sabres' new-look top line pulled them ahead in the third. Luukkonen was able to make that lead last and earned his fourth win in his last six outings despite allowing 16 goals over that span.

His best sequence of the night came with seconds left on the clock when Vancouver's Brock Boeser blasted a shot on net from the top of the faceoff circle and Luukkonen denied him with his left pad. The puck popped out to Conor Garland as he crashed the net and tried to poke in the rebound, only to see Luukkonen deny him with his left skate.

In what Rick Tocchet called "a microcosm of our season," the Vancouver Canucks gave up a one-goal lead in the third period to the Buffalo Sabres.

Luukkonen is slated to start on the road against Calgary on Thursday. Luukkonen has a 15-14-4 record, 2.99 GAA and .897 save percentage in 34 appearances in 2024-25. He stopped 32 of 34 shots en route to a 3-2 win over Vancouver in his last start Tuesday.

Tage Thompson, Jiri Kulich and JJ Peterka each found the back of the net, with Peterka’s late tally proving to be the game winner. It marked the Sabres’ third win this season when trailing after two periods, and their first since Nov. 23 at San Jose.

Jiri Kulich led the charge with a goal and two assists as the Buffalo Sabres (18-24-5) rallied for a thrilling 3-2 road victory over the Vancouver Canucks (20-16-10) on Tuesday.

Jiri Kulich had a goal and two assists and the Buffalo Sabres rallied to beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Tuesday night.

As for the heatmap, it was a mess for Vancouver. Buffalo was able to generate shots from all over the zone, including right beside Thatcher Demko. The Canucks also struggled to create chances, as only six of the 34 shots Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen were registered as high-danger shots.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start in goal after resting during Monday’s game due to what Ruff described as “nagging issues.” With Luukkonen available, the Sabres recalled forward Tyson Kozak and loaned goaltender Devon Levi to Rochester.

The Buffalo Sabres were the team coming back this time, erasing a 2-1 deficit late to steal the 3-2 win from the Vancouver Canucks.

Jiri Kulich had a goal and two assists to help the visiting Buffalo Sabres rally for a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.