Buffalo Sabres vs. Los Angeles Kings Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 20th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Buffalo Sabres are set to embark on a three-game road trip to California, starting with a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. This game could see the return of at least one key player, and potentially two.
Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to make his comeback after being sidelined for two games due to a lower-body injury. In the previous game against the Montreal Canadiens, coach Lindy Ruff pulled Luukkonen after two periods, citing his injury as a factor in his performance.
Reflecting on his previous game, Luukkonen stated, "I feel like I wasn't playing at my best in the Montreal game. There are no excuses, but I know I can do better. I'm feeling much better now and I'm ready to give it my all."
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Luukkonen has been on a hot streak, winning six of his last eight games after a slow start to the season. However, he did allow four goals in the game against Montreal, breaking his streak of allowing two goals or less in six of his previous eight games.
Another player who could make a return for the Sabres is center Tage Thompson, who has also been out with a lower-body injury. He has been practicing with the top line and could potentially make his comeback in this game.
Thompson has been a key player for the Sabres this season, leading the team with 11 goals and 18 points. He has been a standout performer, reminiscent of his career-high 94 points in the 2022-23 season.
After a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Sabres will be looking to bounce back and regain their consistency. Thompson acknowledged the team's need for improvement, stating, "We know we're a good team when we play the right way. We just need to focus on our game and not get ahead of ourselves."
The Kings, on the other hand, are coming off a 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings and are currently second in the Pacific Division. They have only played seven home games so far this season, but have a strong record of 5-1-1 at home.
Defenseman Mikey Anderson emphasized the importance of taking advantage of home games, saying, "We want to use the home crowd to our advantage and continue our strong performance at home. We need to keep improving and keep our fans happy."
Overall, the Kings have a record of 2-3-0 in their last five games. They will also have forward Alex Turcotte back in the lineup after missing five games with an upper-body injury. He is expected to play alongside captain Anze Kopitar and winger Adrian Kempe.
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Turcotte has one goal and four assists so far this season, and will be looking to make an impact in his return to the lineup.
Buffalo Sabres vs. Los Angeles Kings Recap NOV 20TH 2024
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 24 saves in his return from an injury and Jason Zucker scored the lone goal to help the visiting Buffalo Sabres earn a 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.
Luukkonen, who missed two games with a lower-body injury, earned his sixth career shutout to improve to 4-0-0 since Nov. 5.
Zucker tipped Rasmus Dahlin's point shot on the power play 38 seconds into the third period for his 200th NHL goal.
Los Angeles pressured for the equalizer, with Anze Kopitar trying to jam the puck past Luukkonen, but the goalie held firm. The Kings' Quinton Byfield just missed on the doorstep with David Rittich pulled for the extra attacker.
Rittich made 18 saves for the Kings, who have lost three of their past four games.
The Sabres controlled much of the opening period to build up a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal and 18-8 in total attempts by the 12-minute mark, but they were denied by Rittich.
Just over eight minutes in, Jiri Kulich's shot from the high slot was blocked by Brandt Clarke. Kulich then collected the rebound at the hashmarks for a quick wrist shot Rittich held tight for the save.
The hosts started to find their game as the period progressed and had their best chance on Adrian Kempe's tip in front with just under a minute and a half to go in the frame. The attempt was stopped by Luukkonen.
The Kings continued their pressure in the second. Luukkonen stayed sharp, denying Trevor Moore from a sharp angle along the goal line at the end of a power play 6 1/2 minutes in and stretching his left leg for a pad save on Byfield at the side of the net with 7 1/2 minutes remaining.
Los Angeles held the Sabres to three shots on goal in the second.
The Sabres have scored a power-play goal in seven straight games.