Luukkonen focused on helping Sabres take next step as Stanley Cup contenders

Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 27, is focused on pushing the team further as Stanley Cup contenders after last season ended with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round. Despite an 11-14-4 start, the Sabres recovered to finish first in the Atlantic Division with 109 points (50-23-9) and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Luukkonen credited a mid-season turning point when GM Kevyn Adams was fired and replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen on December 15 as a wake-up call that helped spark the turnaround.