Is the Sabres’ pivot to Alex Lyon a panic move?
Game 3 of the series between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres is set for Thursday night at TD Garden, and we already have one team making a goalie change.
After a disastrous outing in a loss in Game 2, the Sabres are pivoting from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Alex Lyon between the pipes, as Lyon was in the starter’s crease at the team’s morning skate.
🥅: Alex Lyon (BUF) 🅿️ is expected to start Game 3 in BOS. 20-10-4 | 2.77 GAA | .906 SV% | 3 SO
In the starter’s net this morning at TD Garden … Alex Lyon #Sabres
After keeping the Sabres alive in Game 1 long enough for the team to rally for a thrilling win, Luukkonen was beat from center ice by a Morgan Geekie flip during Game 2, and he allowed 4 goals on 20 shots before Lyon came on in relief.
On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed whether or not Ruff’s apparent decision to make the switch is a sign that he’s overreacting to one loss.
Tyler Yaremchuk: One more fill in the blank as we turn our attention to tonight’s games. Alex Lyon in the starter’s crease for the Sabres at their morning skate…. Buffalo going with Lyon between the pipes would be BLANK, Hutts?
Carter Hutton: I guess a little bit panicky for me… I just think it’s like UPL has kind of been your guy, right? The bad goal goes in against Morgan Geekie, but he also made a lot of big breakaway saves, a lot of timely saves. And I don’t think the Sabres have been at their best, right? I just think it’s like a show of lack of confidence in him to go to Alex Lyon. I know he came into that game and he had his mask up at one point. Then he was asking [Tanner] Jeannot to go… He was right into it, and I think Alex Lyon carries himself that way. So I don’t think he’s going to be overwhelmed by this moment by any means, but I also think it’s a short leash going back. If it doesn’t go well, now what are you doing? Now it’s like you have to go back to UPL, or you could have went with him. I think you just created a bit of a pickle if things don’t go well here.
Tyler Yaremchuk: I’ll disagree with you actually. I’m going to say it’s the right call. I think a young goalie in UPL going out for a road playoff series, you have the whole Geekie thing from last game. I don’t mind going with the more veteran guy, giving UPL a chance to sit on the bench, experience that road atmosphere at the TD Garden… it’s a totally different beast when you’re in the away rink. So I don’t mind giving him a chance to reset, and listen, in Buffalo we’re gearing up for seven here in this series. If Buffalo were to lose tonight and Lyon’s not great, perfect. You go back to UPL in game four, you’ve given him a chance to kind of reset here and clear his mind and the series isn’t over yet. UPL can still be the guy for you going forward. For Alex Lyon, ff you catch Lightning in a bottle and he steals you one, then great. That’s the cherry on top, but I don’t mind giving UPL a chance to get a bit of a reset here.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…