The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 5-3 on Tuesday at KeyBank Center, marking their 11th win in the last 12 games. Here are three takeaways from the game:

1. Sabres Overcome Third-Period Scare

Buffalo jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead, thanks to goals from Tage Thompson, Ryan McLeod (shorthanded), Alex Tuch, and Zach Metsa. Metsa's goal was his first in the NHL. However, the Canucks mounted a furious comeback in the third period, scoring three goals in a span of just over five minutes. Jake DeBrusk scored on the power play, followed by goals from Elias Pettersson and Liam Ohgren, cutting the Sabres' lead to 4-3 with over four minutes remaining. After a timeout, Josh Doan sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, preventing a complete collapse. This win underscores the Sabres' need to improve their ability to close out games, especially with a young team still learning how to win.

2. Luukkonen's Strong Performance

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was solid in goal for the Sabres, stopping 32 of 35 shots. He had a shutout through two periods and made several key saves, including six on a critical penalty kill early in the game when the Sabres were protecting a 1-0 lead. Luukkonen's performance was a significant bounce-back after a less stellar outing against Columbus. His consistent play lately provides stability in the Sabres' net. Luukkonen was recently selected to represent Finland in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

3. Contributions from the Defense

The Sabres' defensemen played a crucial role in the victory. Bowen Byram recorded two assists. In addition to Metsa's goal, defensemen were involved in the offensive play throughout the game. Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson also contributed to the Sabres' offensive efforts. Byram's playmaking ability, in particular, stood out as he continues to assert himself on the team. The Sabres' defensemen effectively joined the attack at opportune moments, adding another dimension to their offense.

The Sabres' victory over the Canucks was a valuable response after their recent loss to the Blue Jackets. The team displayed resilience in holding off Vancouver's late surge. The Sabres will look to build on this win as they continue their season.