4 check: Sabres rekindle ‘goat head’ energy with largest shutout win in 22 seasons

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — In a throwback to last season, the Sabres found their stride in retro fashion, beating the Los Angeles Kings 7-0 on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 33 saves, his busiest of four shutouts this season, and the most by a Sabres goaltender since Ryan Miller had six in 2011-12. Jordan Greenway had a goal and two assists, his most productive game since joining the Sabres at last season’s trade deadline, and Buffalo posted its biggest shutout victory in over 22 years, since an 8-0 win against the Atlanta Thrashers in November, 2001.

JJ Peterka, Rasmus Dahlin and Alex Tuch each had a goal and assist, captain Kyle Okposo and rookie Zach Benson also scored, and the Sabres received standing ovations at several points in their most lopsided victory since a 9-2 win against the Ottawa Senators in November, 2018.

The feel-good victory comes after the Sabres had lost their past three home games, scoring just once despite generating more shots on goal in each contest. Winning for the first time in three games since the all-star break, the Sabres close out their homestand Thursday night against the Florida Panthers.

Owen Power out for weeks

Defenseman Owen Power is listed as week to week with an upper-body injury, coach Don Granato announced Tuesday.

The second-year player appeared to hurt his left hand during practice a day earlier and left the ice to have tests. Speaking before the Sabres’ home game against the Los Angeles Kings, Granato said Power will be reevaluated next week, which should provide a better timetable on when he can return.

“The hope in the short end would be a couple of weeks,” Granato said.

Power, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, has experienced a drop-off in production a season after finishing third in the NHL rookie of the year balloting. The University of Michigan product has been limited to two goals and 18 points in 51 games after finishing last season with four goals and 35 points in 79 games.

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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.

The Associated Press contributed.

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