Sabres’ Alex Lyon to start Game 6 vs. Canadiens

Alex Lyon is getting the start for the must-win Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens (Watch Game 6 on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 8 p.m. ET).

The Sabres opted to make a goalie change in Game 5, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen getting the start over Lyon.

Unfortunately for Luukkonen, he was replaced after two periods with Buffalo down 5-3 after he gave up five goals on 23 shots.

Luukkonen opened the playoffs as Buffalo’s starter, but was replaced by Lyon in the third period of Game 2 of the first round against the Boston Bruins. Lyon remained in Buffalo’s net until Game 4 against the Sabres after giving up nine goals in the previous two games.

Lyon has made nine appearances during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including seven starts, posting a 7-4-3 record, a 2.25 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The 33-year-old had a 20-10-4 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in 36 games during the regular season.

In four appearances during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Luukkonen is 2-2 with a 4.20 goals-against average and a .851 save percentage. The 27-year-old had a 22-9-3 record with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 35 appearances in the regular season.

Ruff said earlier on Saturday that defenceman Owen Power is expected to play after leaving the third period of Game 5 after he fell hard into the boards feet-first.

However, the team will have seven defenceman skate pre-game in case Power can’t go.

The 23-year-old blueliner played 21:52 before leaving the game. He also picked up an assist in the first period and has five helpers in 11 games this post-season while averaging 20:44 of ice time.