Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen takes over in net as Sabres even series with Game 4 comeback

Coming off back-to-back losses, each by four goals, the Buffalo Sabres knew their backs were against the proverbial wall on Tuesday night. 

Faced with the tough challenge of winning on the road in Montreal, the Sabres evened up their second-round series with a 3-2 win over the Canadiens. 

The Sabres managed to get the victory despite losing the shots battle, 22-30, and even handing the Canadiens seven power-play opportunities. But Montreal was only able to convert one of those, thanks in large part due to the strong play in net by goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who earned his first start since April 21 of the first round. 

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stepped up in place of Alex Lyon 

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff's decision to bench Alex Lyon — he allowed nine goals in the last two games — for Luukkonen, who did win 22 games during the regular season, ended up paying off. Luukkonen stopped 28 out of the 30 shots he faced from a red-hot Canadiens team hoping to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. 

Instead, the night belonged to Buffalo. Trailing 2-1 after the first period, the Sabres scored two unanswered goals, one in the second and one in the third, to claim the win.

Tage Thompson tied the game and Zach Benson scored the game-winner