Buffalo goaltender Alex Lyon started Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night but was pulled halfway through the first period after allowing three goals on three shots, the report says. The move came with the Sabres facing elimination in the series, per the report.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen replaced Lyon at the 10:14 mark of the first period after Jake Evans gave Montreal a 3-1 lead with his second goal of the postseason, the report says. Ivan Demidov and Arber Xhekaj also scored for the Canadiens in the opening period following a quick Buffalo goal by Rasmus Dahlin, who gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead 32 seconds into the game, the report adds.
Jason Zucker cut Buffalo’s deficit to 3-2 with a power-play goal at the 13:56 mark of the first, the report says. Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff did not announce a starting goaltender after the team’s morning skate on Saturday, per the report.
Both Lyon and Luukkonen played in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series, which Buffalo lost 6-3, the report says. Lyon started that game and allowed five goals, according to the report.
Before Saturday night, Lyon was 4-3 in the postseason with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage, while Luukkonen was 2-2 with a 4.20 average and an .851 save percentage, the report says.
