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
