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National Hockey League
Buffalo 1, Los Angeles 0
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Referees: Graedy Hamilton, Trevor Hanson
Linesmen: Caleb Apperson, Joe Mahon
Attendance: 16778

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 23 saves in his return from an injury and Jason Zucker scored the lone goal to help the visiting Buffalo Sabres earn a 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.

Luukkonen, who missed two games with a lower-body injury, earned his sixth career shutout to improve to 4-0-0 since Nov. 5.

Zucker tipped Rasmus Dahlin's point shot on the power play 38 seconds into the third period for his 200th NHL goal.

Los Angeles pressured for the equalizer, with Anze Kopitar trying to jam the puck past Luukkonen, but the goalie held firm. The Kings' Quinton Byfield just missed on the doorstep with David Rittich pulled for the extra attacker.

Rittich made 18 saves for the Kings, who have lost three of their past four games.

The Sabres controlled much of the opening period to build a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal and an 18-8 edge in total attempts by the 12-minute mark, but they were denied by Rittich.

Just over eight minutes in, Jiri Kulich's shot from the high slot was blocked by Brandt Clarke. Kulich then collected the rebound at the hashmarks for a quick wrist shot but Rittich held tight for the save.

The hosts started to find their game as the period progressed and had their best chance on Adrian Kempe's tip in front with just under a minute and a half to go in the frame. The attempt was stopped by Luukkonen.

The Kings continued their pressure in the second. Luukkonen stayed sharp, denying Trevor Moore from a sharp angle along the goal line at the end of a power play 6 1/2 minutes in and stretching his left leg for a pad save on Byfield at the side of the net with 7 1/2 minutes remaining.

Los Angeles held the Sabres to three shots on goal in the second.

The Sabres have scored a power-play goal in seven straight games.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Buffalo   Los Angeles
Jason Zucker 1 Points N/A
Jason Zucker 1 Goals N/A
Rasmus Dahlin 1 Assists N/A
Jason Zucker 1 Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 1.000 Save Percentage David Rittich .947
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 23 Saves David Rittich 18
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Buffalo 19 1 1-3 5-5 10 23
Los Angeles 23 0 0-5 2-3 6 34
Upcoming Games
  • Los Angeles will play their next game at home against Seattle. The Kings have a W/L % of .300 after a win and .700 after a loss.
  • Buffalo will play their next game on the road against Anaheim. The Sabres have a W/L % of .444 after a win and .500 after a loss.