Alex Lyon Holds Sabres To 1.18 GAA In 3 Straight Starts

alex lyon has started the past three games for Buffalo and posted a 1.18 goals-against average in the series. The Sabres made the switch in Game 3 against the Boston Bruins, and Lyon’s run has helped Buffalo carry a 3-2 lead into Game 6 in Boston.

Game 2 Changed Buffalo

Martin Biron said the move came after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s body language in Game 2 against Boston did not look right. Biron said he thinks the Sabres turned to Lyon in Game 3 because the team needed more confidence and calm after the Bruins’ 4-2 win on April 21 tied the best-of-7 series 1-1.

That Game 2 swung fast. Morgan Geekie scored from center ice at 16:29 of the second period to push Boston to a 2-0 lead, and the Bruins stretched it to 4-0 before closing out the game. Buffalo replaced Luukkonen in the third period of Game 3 and has not gone back.

Lyon’s Three-Game Run

Lyon has given Buffalo exactly what it wanted from the change. Over his past three starts, he has allowed two goals on 85 shots, and his series line sits at a.958 save percentage. He also made 27 saves in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss in Game 5, keeping Buffalo within one game of finishing the series.

Biron, who played 508 games across 16 seasons, said goaltending is about more than stopping pucks. In his view, the position also affects whether teammates believe they can settle in behind the netminder or whether the opponent senses daylight.

TD Garden Awaits Buffalo

The Sabres now take their 3-2 series lead to TD Garden for Game 6 on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Lyon has already taken over the crease for three straight games, and Buffalo is one win from finishing a series that changed after one rough sequence in Game 2.