The Buffalo Sabres will change things up between the pipes for Game 4 of their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who hasn’t played since Game 2 of Buffalo’s first-round series against the Boston Bruins, will get the start in Game 4 at Bell Centre on Tuesday.
It also appears that defenceman Luke Schenn will draw into the lineup on Tuesday on the bottom pair with Connor Timmins, as he was seen working on the penalty kill at morning skate.
Sabres had some rotating on the bottom pair on defense. But it appears Buffalo might be going with Luke Schenn and Conor Timmins. They’re both getting work on the penalty kill right now.
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) May 12, 2026
After winning Game 1 in Buffalo, the Sabres have dropped the past two games against the Habs with starting goalie Alex Lyon allowing a total of nine goals over that stretch.
Luukkonen, 27, began the playoffs as Buffalo’s starter, but lost his spot after allowing four goals on 20 shots in a Game 2 loss to the Bruins.
The native of Finland posted a 22-9-3 record with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage over 35 games during the regular season, his sixth in Buffalo.
Lyon, 33, made 36 appearances during the season, producing a 20-10-4 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage, including three shutouts.
Schenn, 36, has not made an appearance in this postseason. He played four games with the Sabres after he was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets at the trade deadline. He has one goal and seven points in 50 games with the Jets and Sabres this year.
Over eight playoffs contests, the American has a 2.18 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.
The Sabres will look to even their series against the Canadiens at two games apiece with a Game 4 victory in Montreal.
