Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen named NHL's Third Star of the Week

After allowing just four goals in three straight wins, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been named the NHL's Third Star of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon.

Luukkonen stopped 86 of 90 shots for a .956 save percentage in wins over Ottawa, the New York Rangers and Calgary that got the Sabres to .500 at 7-7-1 heading into Monday's matinee against the Montreal Canadiens in KeyBank Center.

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes a save on Calgary Flames left wing Andrei Kuzmenko (96) during the shootout at KeyBank Center, Saturday, Nov.

9, 2024.

Luukkonen's selection marked the first for a Sabre since Rasmus Dahlin was the Third Star for the week ending Jan.

8, 2023.

The Sabres had five star selections in the 2022-23 season but did not have any last season.

The league announced Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck who stopped 88 of 89 shots and has led his team to an NHL-record 14-1 start was named the First Star and Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon was the Second Star.

The Sabres have won three in a row twice through 15 games, and the latest streak helped them rally from the bottom of the standings.

Luukkonen, 25, made his fifth straight start for the Sabres on Monday.

He has pushed his career win total to 53, passing Jacques Cloutier and Linus Ullmark (both 50) to move into 10th place on the franchise's all-time victory list.

Luukkonen tied his season high with 38 saves against Ottawa and stopped all three shooters in the shootout against Calgary.

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