Luukkonen records first shutout of season as Sabres beat Vegas 2-0

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.

Buffalo: Visits San Jose on Thursday

Vegas: Hosts Utah on Thursday

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) skates with the puck against Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) stops a shot against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) and center Brett Howden (21) chase after the puck against Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Buffalo Sabres center Tyson Kozak (48) collides with Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) skates with the puck against Vegas Golden Knights center Colton Sissons (10) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended Tuesday — the second known major penalty of his racing career — for mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas during a recent livestream.

In the video, which circulated Tuesday on social media, Dye used voices that made inferences about Malukas' sexuality. He mimicked Malukas' voice at one point.

Dye is a Truck Series driver for Kaulig Racing, which also suspended him. NASCAR ordered Dye to undergo sensitivity training.

Dye apologized to Malukas in a social media post, calling his comments “careless.”

“I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I'm sorry to anyone who was offended. That's now I want to represent myself.

“I have some close friends in the LBGT+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that's exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard.”

He said conversations with those friends made him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”

Malukas, a 24-year-old driver for Team Penske, often posts pictures on social media with a girlfriend.

This is the second time Dye has been suspended.

He was 18 and racing in the ARCA series when he was arrested at a Dayona Beach, Florida, high school and charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.

The victim was treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.

Dye said it was a game and he'd be exonerated.

He was instead indefinitely suspended by ARCA, which is owned by NASCAR. Dye was reinstated when the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Dye in his third full season of racing in the Truck Series. He moved to Kaulig Racing this year to drive for Ram in the automaker's return to NASCAR competition. Through three races, his best finish is 13th at Atlanta.

Dye raced at St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Truck Series when NASCAR partnered its third-tier series with IndyCar's season opener. Malukas made his Team Penske debut that same weekend.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

FILE - Driver Daniel Dye (43) is seen during qualifying for the NASCAR Weather Guard Truck Series, March 16, 2024, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)