Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon was prepared to step in as an emergency backup after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen left Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a lower-body injury. Colten Ellis took over in relief, making 16 saves and helping the Sabres secure a 7-4 victory.
Lyon, who was a healthy scratch for the night, readied himself quickly in case he was needed. “Usually he needs 20 minutes to get ready; on Tuesday he did it in eight,” according to team staff.
Head coach Lindy Ruff said after Wednesday’s practice that there was no update yet on Luukkonen’s condition. Despite injuries affecting all three goalies this season, Buffalo currently ranks 11th in the NHL with a .897 save percentage. Each goaltender has also recorded positive goals saved above expected: Lyon at 6.1, Luukkonen at 1.2, and Ellis at 0.1.
“With the injuries we’ve had, between UPL and Lyon, and Ellis with his concussion, three has been a blessing for us, it’s turned out,” Ruff said. “Sometimes tough to deal with, but it’s turned out to be a strength of ours. It’s got us through a lot of games.”
The coaching staff credits preparation for the strong performances from their goaltenders. The team has posted a league-leading .916 save percentage during its recent run of 19 wins in 23 games. Lyon highlighted goaltending coach Mike Bales’ role in his success, while Ellis noted that pregame scouting meetings have helped him prepare for opponents regardless of whether he is playing.
Friendly competition among the goalies is also seen as a factor contributing to consistent play.
“When Upie and I are going back and forth here in this last little bit, you always feel a little competitive with each other, and you don’t want to let the other guy down at the same time,” Lyon said. “That’s really healthy, and Colten, he’s of the same mindset as both of us.”
“We have great communication every day, just picking each others’ brains and talking about different things we’re seeing,” Ellis added.
Lyon is expected to start Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings and could set a franchise record if he earns his tenth consecutive win; his ninth straight victory tied Gerry Desjardins’ mark for most consecutive wins by a Sabres goalie.
“Really an incredible accomplishment,” Ruff said. “With the (Dominik) Haseks and (Ryan) Millers and going all the way back to the early 70s, you run through all those different goaltenders that have been here, and now, all of a sudden, he’s the one that has put together a streak like that.
“He’s put together a real impressive group of games for us, and (he’s) a big reason why we’ve been able to win the number of games we’ve won.”
Regarding player health elsewhere on the roster, forward Jordan Greenway continues to manage lingering effects from last year’s sports hernia surgeries. He has missed two recent games and may sit out until after February’s break while consulting doctors about next steps.
“He’s gonna have a meeting with doctors again tomorrow and just try to figure out where we’re at with all this, and see if there’s something we can approach a little bit differently,” Ruff said. “He may have to go back and see his surgeon, just to get another opinion from him.
“… Greenway could play, but he’s really being hampered. So, the way we look at it, we’re healthy, we’ve got an extra guy.”
Tyson Kozak has filled Greenway’s spot recently on the fourth line as needed.
Forward Jiri Kulich remains sidelined since November due to a blood clot but has started light skating activities as part of his recovery process.
“I don’t know if there’s a date on that, with what he’s been dealing with,” Ruff said regarding Kulich’s return timeline. “There’s a period of time that he’s got to stay away from getting any kind of physical (contact) where a blood clot could become dangerous again.”
The Sabres will host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
