Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen set for 2026 opener, easing major worry

Dustin Judge
Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen hugs the post as defenseman Mattias Samuelsson turns during a January 2024 game against Vancouver

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start in goal for the Buffalo Sabres in their season opener at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, according to the NHL Status Report. The goalie tweaked a lower-body injury during Buffalo’s preseason finale Sept. 26 but has been in the starter’s net at practice the past two days.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed two goals on 17 shots for an .882 save percentage in that loss to Pittsburgh on Sept. 26, and he stopped all 13 shots he faced in a win over Columbus on Sept. 22, per his FOX Sports preseason game log.

His availability steadies Buffalo’s goaltending after the injury scare. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen missed the 2026 Winter Olympics with an injury, as Total Apex Sports reported in February, so the Sabres have reason to be careful with their No. 1 goalie.

Samuelsson’s status

Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who suffered a lower-body injury blocking a shot on Sept. 22, practiced Wednesday and could play Thursday. Coach Lindy Ruff said he is hoping Samuelsson will be an option against Columbus, according to Heavy.

“As athletes, you always try to make it a little shorter, so I think it was just kind of one of those situations where if I felt like I was ready to play, I’d be back in the lineup,” Samuelsson said, per the NHL Status Report.

Zellweger out for the opener

Defenseman Olen Zellweger, 23, will not play Thursday. He has been in concussion protocol since Sept. 22. “He just didn’t get through his tests, so he’s just got to continue to skate for a couple of days,” Ruff said. Ruff did not rule him out for Saturday’s home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and the Sabres’ next steps

The Sabres open at Columbus on Thursday, then return to Buffalo to face Chicago on Saturday. Buffalo is coming off a 2025-26 season that ended a 15-year playoff drought, per Heavy; the Sabres met Montreal in the postseason, as Total Apex Sports covered in its playoff series reporting. For more around the league, visit our NHL coverage.

Reporting from NHL.com, Heavy and FOX Sports contributed to this story.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.