Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start in goal Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings as the Buffalo Sabres try to finish a road trip that has already produced a 2-0-1 record.
Luukkonen worked in the starter's net during Friday's practice at Crypto.com Arena, according to the Sabres' practice report. Forward Noah Östlund missed the session for maintenance but is expected to be available for the 4 p.m. Eastern game. MSG's pregame coverage begins at 3:30.
Malenstyn and Kozak help drive the road trip
Buffalo's fourth line has provided sustained offensive-zone pressure throughout the trip, with Beck Malenstyn and Tyson Kozak helping create chances in Washington, San Jose and Anaheim.
The Sabres cited Natural Stat Trick figures showing an 8-2 advantage in high-danger chances with Malenstyn and Kozak together at five-on-five during the trip, a measure that did not include Kozak's Thursday goal.
Peyton Krebs played alongside the pair before moving up the lineup Thursday. Sam Carrick returned from a four-game injury absence and took his place on the fourth line.
Malenstyn described the group's approach as getting the puck deep, using its speed and spending enough time in the offensive end to leave favorable situations for the next line.
In Washington, Kozak won a defensive-zone faceoff, delivered a hit on Dylan McIlrath at the other end and later took the puck away from him. Malenstyn then set up Louis Crevier for a shot during a shift that kept Washington defending for 36 seconds. Kozak won five of eight faceoffs that night.
Against San Jose, Malenstyn moved the puck to Krebs on the entry, then went to the net as Olen Zellweger put a shot toward goal. Malenstyn was credited with three shots in one second during the scramble against Yaroslav Askarov. He was also on the ice for Zellweger's eventual game-winning goal.
In Anaheim, the line helped Buffalo recover after two early power-play goals. Malenstyn worked the puck back to Rasmus Dahlin, and Mattias Samuelsson pursued it along the boards after Dahlin's shot went wide. Carrick and Kozak covered the point before Carrick set up Kozak's one-timer through Malenstyn's screen.
Coach Lindy Ruff said Buffalo's offensive-zone cycling had improved over the previous two games.
Buffalo works on protecting a late lead
The Sabres devoted much of Friday's short practice to defending against an extra attacker after allowing two late six-on-five goals in Thursday's 7-6 win over Anaheim.
Ruff pointed to mistakes defending the rush while praising the team's effort during the game.
Luukkonen has not appeared since last Saturday's overtime loss in Washington, when he stopped 30 of 34 shots. Östlund scored his fourth goal of the season Thursday before taking Friday's maintenance day.
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