If you’re looking for one of the most unexpected breakout stories in the NHL this season, look no further than Buffalo - and more specifically, the crease.
Alex Lyon, a name Flyers fans might remember, is back in the spotlight and playing some of the best hockey of his career. The 33-year-old netminder has been a driving force behind the Buffalo Sabres’ dramatic turnaround, helping lift the team from the depths of the Eastern Conference standings into third place in the Atlantic Division. And he’s doing it with the kind of consistency and poise that’s hard to ignore.
Let’s rewind a bit. The Flyers, at one point, were one of the league’s surprise contenders.
But with Dan Vladar sidelined due to injury and the goaltending situation becoming increasingly unstable, Philadelphia has slipped a bit. They’re now five points back of the second Wild Card spot and just two points off third in the Metropolitan Division - still within striking distance, but the margin for error is shrinking.
Meanwhile, Buffalo has flipped the switch. A 10-game winning streak carried them into the New Year, and they haven’t looked back since.
The Sabres are playing fast, confident hockey, and Lyon has been the backbone of that surge. He’s posted a 12-6-3 record with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage, including two shutouts.
Those aren’t just solid numbers - they’re the kind of stats that win you playoff games.
Lyon’s current form is even more impressive when you consider the context. He signed with Buffalo this past offseason, joining a team that was still trying to find its identity.
Now, he’s not just part of the solution - he’s leading the charge. Since December 9, Lyon has rattled off nine straight wins in appearances, including eight consecutive starts.
That run includes a 24-save victory over his former team, the Flyers, in a 5-3 win on December 18.
He also added a bit of poetic justice earlier this month, blanking the Islanders with a 26-save shutout - a performance that certainly didn’t go unnoticed in Philadelphia, where the Flyers’ goaltending depth behind Vladar has been inconsistent at best. Sam Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov have shown flashes, but nothing as steady as what Lyon’s delivering in Buffalo.
To put it plainly: Lyon is playing like a starter, and he’s doing it in a crowded goalie room. With Colten Ellis and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen also in the mix, there’s competition for ice time, but Lyon has done more than enough to earn the net. If he keeps this up, he’s not just going to set a new personal best in wins - he’s going to help push the Sabres into the postseason conversation in a serious way.
This kind of late-career surge isn’t something you see every day, especially from a goalie who’s bounced between teams and roles over the years. But Lyon’s not just hanging on - he’s thriving. And in a league where momentum matters and hot goaltending can carry a team deep into spring, the Sabres suddenly look like a team no one wants to face.
Buffalo’s rise has been one of the season’s best stories, and Alex Lyon is right at the heart of it.