The Buffalo Sabres have returned to the Ice.
With the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy, nearing a conclusion, the focus will soon return to National Hockey League play, and in Western New York, the playoffs push for the Sabres.
Key members of the roster are poised to return as the Buffalo’s season resumes on February 25th at New Jersey. Centers Josh Norris and Josh Dunne, and goaltender Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen, were full participants as the team returned to practice ice. The Sabres head into the stretch run of the season, currently holding the first wildcard position in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
Luukkonen Getting Close
With just 25 games remaining in the 25-26 campaign, the most challenging portion of the push for the postseason. Buffalo is seeking a return to playoff competition after a 14-year absence. Although Luukkonen was selected to represent his native Finland in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament, the 26-year-old netminder was forced to miss the competition due to a lower-body injury. Missing the Olympic opportunity was undoubtedly very disappointing; Luukkonen was able to use the break in the NHL schedule to heal. He is now focused on what is ahead for the Sabres in the next two months.
“Mentally for me, it’s always what’s happened, you can’t change that”, said Luukkonen. “You kind of go through it for a couple of days, and then you start to look forward.” I’m really happy that I’m part of the team here, that we have something special going on right now. Being healthy for that again, I think that’s what mentally has gotten me through it too.”
The excitement in the Sabres locker room and among Buffalo hockey fans hasn’t reached this level for many years. Luukkonen and his teammates are preparing for the battle ahead.
“We have a huge playoff push coming here. It’s something that’s really special for everybody here. Of course we want to make it, the whole city wants to make it, it keeps you really, really motivated to go back playing again.”
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