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Facing elimination, Sabres start, pull Lyon again

ESPN · May 17, 2026, 2:17 AM

Key takeaways

  • Buffalo goaltender Alex Lyon started Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, with his Sabres facing elimination, but was pulled halfway into the first period after allowing three goals on three shots.
  • Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen took over for Lyon at the 10:14 mark of the first after Jake Evans gave the Canadiens a 3-1 lead with his second goal of the postseason.
  • Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff did not announce a starting goaltender after his team's morning skate Saturday.

Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.

Buffalo goaltender Alex Lyon started Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, with his Sabres facing elimination, but was pulled halfway into the first period after allowing three goals on three shots.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen took over for Lyon at the 10:14 mark of the first after Jake Evans gave the Canadiens a 3-1 lead with his second goal of the postseason. Ivan Demidov and Arber Xhekaj also scored for Montreal in the first period after Rasmus Dahlin gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead with his third tally of the playoffs 32 seconds into the game. Jason Zucker drew the Sabres closer at 3-2 with a power-play goal at the 13:56 mark.

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff did not announce a starting goaltender after his team's morning skate Saturday. Lyon and Luukkonen played in the Sabres' 6-3 loss to the Canadiens in Game 5 of this Eastern Conference semifinal series, though Lyon started and allowed five goals.

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