Elliotte Friedman raises key Sabres question ahead of Round 2 vs. Canadiens Buffalo Sabres players celebrate with goalie Alex Lyon | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The tide of the Buffalo Sabres' opening-round playoff triumph over the Boston Bruins changed late in Game 2, when goaltender Alex Lyon replaced a struggling Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and brought much-needed stability to the crease to help the club advance in six games. This pivotal moment has sparked questions from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, who has frequently highlighted the inconsistent nature of Lyon’s career, particularly after a late-season slump and injury. Friedman, speaking on the 32 Thoughts podcast, noted that Lyon’s recent performance suggests he is on a streak, asking, “How long does this streak last?” The 33-year-old journeyman, who won the 2022 Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves, delivered a standout performance in the previous round, stopping 106 of 111 shots (.955 save percentage) against the Bruins. Head coach Lindy Ruff’s decision to start Lyon was ultimately vindicated, though it carried risks given Lyon’s .847 save percentage over his last six regular-season starts before missing time with an injury. Friedman humorously acknowledged the potential tension between Lyon and himself, joking, “He might just punch me in the face when he sees me this week.” He emphasized that Sabres fans would prefer to see Lyon’s hot streak continue, as the team faces a critical matchup against the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2. The question of whether Buffalo will need to switch goalies again looms large, especially with UPL, who struggled in the first two games against the Bruins, now a major concern. However, the Sabres’ ability to rotate goalies during the regular season suggests such a move wouldn’t be unprecedented.#buffalo_sabres #alex_lyon #lindy_ruff #montreal_canadiens #elliotte_friedman
‘Nothing we aren’t used to’ | How Sabres’ Lyon shifted momentum in Game 3 and series Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon’s clutch performance in Game 3 against the Boston Bruins played a pivotal role in shifting the momentum of the best-of-seven series, helping his team reclaim a 2-1 series lead. Lyon’s 24-save effort, including a critical penalty-shot stop and late defensive stops, anchored the Sabres’ 3-1 victory at TD Garden. The win marked a turning point in the playoff matchup, with Lyon’s resilience and composure under pressure becoming central to the Sabres’ resurgence. Lyon, a nine-year NHL veteran, admitted to feeling pregame nerves but emphasized his ability to channel that energy into focus. “Sometimes in practice I get really nervous. That’s just part of who I am,” he said. “But it’s fun, too. I’ve learned to deal with it and kind of enjoy that part a little bit and not let it deter me at all.” The nerves proved manageable in Game 3, as Lyon’s performance was a stark contrast to his earlier struggles. His first start since April 4, when he was pulled after allowing three goals in six minutes in Washington, came after a lengthy layoff that included a muscle strain during a morning skate and missing the end of the regular season. The Sabres’ victory was built on Lyon’s ability to adapt to the challenges of a long layoff. “I think getting in for a few minutes of the last game was really helpful,” Lyon said. “Before that, it was probably two weeks since I had played, so just to get the feel of the game. And I think that set me up nicely for today.” His early-game dominance was evident in the first period, where he stopped 10 of 11 shots, including a key save on a 6-on-5 one-timer from Pavel Zacha.#boston_bruins #buffalo_sabres #alex_lyon #tanner_jeannot #victor_arvidsson
Sabres Aim to Secure Playoff Berth in High-Stakes Clash Against Capitals Buffalo’s National Hockey League team faces a critical test as it seeks to maintain its position in the playoff race with a matchup against Washington. The Sabres, currently ranked second in the Atlantic Division with 100 points, must secure a victory or a regulation loss by Detroit to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season. A win tonight or a regulation loss by the Red Wings would guarantee their advancement, while a tie in the game could still secure a playoff berth if Ottawa and Minnesota fail to deliver a decisive result. The Sabres’ recent performance has been a key factor in their playoff hopes. Since the Olympic break, the team has earned at least one point in 23 of their last 28 contests, including a league-leading 14 wins and 30 points. They have also dominated the league in wins and points since December 9, accumulating 35 victories and 74 points, with 30 regulation wins in that span. Notably, the team has avoided consecutive regulation losses since December 3, marking a significant turnaround in their consistency. Star players have been instrumental in this resurgence. Tage Thompson, the team’s leading scorer, has tallied 55 points (25 goals, 30 assists) in 47 games since December 9. His 22 even-strength goals in that span rank tied for third in the NHL, and he is on the verge of surpassing Jason Pominville’s franchise record for career goals with Buffalo. Thompson, who needs seven more goals to pass Pominville, has also contributed six points in his last five games. Rasmus Dahlin, the team’s top assist provider, has recorded 32 assists and 47 points since December 9, with 15 goals in that span tying him for second among NHL defensemen.#washington_capitals #buffalo_sabres #tage_thompson #alex_lyon #rasmus_dahlin
Buffalo Sabres Head Into Clash With Los Angeles Kings After Dominant Performance The Buffalo Sabres entered Saturday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Kings following a strong showing in their previous game against the San Jose Sharks. The team secured a 5-0 shutout, extending their league-leading streak of consecutive scoreless games to 164 minutes and 7 seconds. Goaltender Alex Lyon, who earned the shutout, is now one road win away from tying the NHL record for most consecutive road victories. Lyon’s 10-game streak includes a dominant performance in San Jose, where he stopped all 31 shots faced. The Sabres’ recent success has been highlighted by their ability to secure wins even when their play isn’t at its best. In the Sharks game, Buffalo struggled offensively, managing only three shots in the second period. However, they capitalized on those opportunities, scoring three goals within a 1:43 span to take a 3-0 lead. Despite the slow start, the team’s resilience shone through, as they maintained control of the game. Tage Thompson, who had gone four games without a point, broke his drought in the third period by scoring a goal just 40 seconds into the frame. His tally came after a breakaway opportunity against Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, marking a pivotal moment in the game. Thompson’s performance underscores the team’s depth, as he has now recorded 10 goals and 23 assists in 26 games. The Sabres’ offensive surge has been complemented by their defensive prowess. Since December 9, the team has posted a league-best goals against rate of 2.43, while ranking second in goals for at 3.80. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who also contributed to the shutout streak, has been a key factor in the team’s success. With a 2.62 goals-against average and a .#los_angeles_kings #buffalo_sabres #tage_thompson #alex_lyon #ukko_pekka_luukkonen
Sabres Extend Franchise-Record Road Point Streak in San Jose Clash The Buffalo Sabres aim to continue their historic road performance as they face the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Thursday. The team has secured at least a point in 11 consecutive road games, breaking the previous record set in the 1983-84 and 2006-07 seasons. During this stretch, the Sabres have averaged an NHL-leading 4.27 goals per game while on the road. Their recent success includes a 10-0-1 record in 11 games since the Olympic break, with five of those wins coming at home. This surge has positioned the Sabres near the top of the standings, currently two points behind first-place Carolina (which won Wednesday) in the conference and four points ahead of Tampa Bay (which plays tonight) in the Atlantic Division. The team’s momentum is bolstered by strong performances from key players, including Alex Lyon, who is set to make his second consecutive road start. Lyon has won nine straight road games, just two short of the NHL record held by Evgeni Nabokov and Devan Dubnyk. The Sharks, meanwhile, have remained competitive in the Western Conference playoff race, maintaining a slim lead over Seattle for the second wild card. However, their recent struggles have included a combined 12 goals allowed in their last two losses, pushing their season goals against total to 233—the fourth-highest in the league. Despite this, San Jose remains a formidable opponent, particularly with the emergence of teenage phenom Macklin Celebrini. The 18-year-old forward, who scored in their previous matchup against the Sabres, has accumulated 158 points in two seasons, ranking sixth among teenage NHL players behind legends like Sidney Crosby, Wayne Gretzky, and Steve Yzerman.#buffalo_sabres #macklin_celebrini #san_jose_sharks #sap_center #alex_lyon
