LAS VEGAS (AP) — Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 27 saves to record his first shutout of the season and the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Josh Doan and Josh Norris scored for Buffalo, while Luukkonen registered the eighth shutout of his career.
The Sabres, who opened their four-game road trip with their 10th win in 11 games since the Olympic break, completed the regular-season sweep after they defeated the Golden Knights in Buffalo on March 3.
The Sabres have been the winningest team in the NHL since Dec. 9, sporting a 31-6-2 mark for 64 points.
The surge has Buffalo atop the Atlantic Division, ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.
Vegas, meanwhile, had its two-game win streak snapped after opening its four-game homestand with wins over Pittsburgh and Chicago, outscoring the Penguins and Blackhawks by a combined final of 10-2.
The Golden Knights suffered just their third shutout of the season and first at home.
Buffalo got the only goal it needed when Vegas netminder Adin Hill failed to clear the puck behind the net, and Doan sent a backhand off the goaltender’s right pad and into the goal.
In making his fifth straight start, Hill made 23 saves. Hill has allowed eight goals in his past five starts.
Norris’ goal was an empty-netter, with an assist coming from former Golden Knight Peyton Krebs.
Up next
Buffalo: Visits San Jose on Thursday
Vegas: Hosts Utah on Thursday
-
VGK among greatest NHL expansion franchises even if they don't beat Hurricanes
Hockey historian Eric Zweig said Vegas is on the short list of top expansion franchises in NHL history, and another Stanley Cup should put the Golden Knights in the conversation as the best.
VGK's Brett Howden and Keegan Kolesar talk Game 4 preps for Stanley Cup Final
Golden Knights eye a 3-1 edge as a wild Stanley Cup Final heads to Game 4
Coach John Tortorella speaks on VGK's preps for Game 4 of Stanley Cup Finals
Golden Knights eye a 3-1 edge as a wild Stanley Cup Final heads to Game 4
Golden Knights eye a 3-1 edge as a wild Stanley Cup Final heads to Game 4
In a Stanley Cup Final filled with more twists and turns than a roller coaster, it's difficult to imagine what more could be in store when the Carolina Hurricanes visit the Golden Knights for Game 4.
