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Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (34) skates off the ice after being taken out of the game against the Montreal Canadiens during first period second round, Game 6, NHL playoff action in Montreal on Saturday, May 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Sabres replace netminder Lyon after three early goals in Game 6 against Canadiens

May 16, 2026 | 6:04 PM

MONTREAL — The goaltending carousel for the Buffalo Sabres continued in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night at Bell Centre.

Starter Alex Lyon was pulled 10:14 into the first period after allowing three goals on four shots.

The 33-year-old started the first three games of the best-of-seven series against Montreal before ceding the net to Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen for Games 4 and 5.

Lyon entered the night with a .917 save percentage and 2.25 goals-against average in nine appearances this post-season.

The Baudette, Minn., native first entered in relief of Luukkonen in Game 2 of Buffalo’s first-round series against the Boston Bruins, starting seven consecutive playoff games.

The Canadiens lead the Sabres 3-2 in the best-of-seven matchup and could advance to the Eastern Conference final with a win, where they would play the Carolina Hurricanes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2026.

Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press