Saturday night at UBS Arena belonged to Alex Lyon and the Buffalo Sabres. From the opening puck drop, Lyon set the tone, stopping 13 shots in the first period alone, and finishing with 26 saves to secure a 5-0 victory over the New York Islanders. With the win, Lyon extended his personal streak to nine straight victories, tying a franchise record set by Gerry Desjardins in 1976-77.
“You see what he puts in every day, it’s not surprising he plays this well,” Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson said. Lyon himself credited the team’s consistency in front of him, along with his own focus on process and preparation. “As a goalie, that consistency is all you can ask for,” he said, reflecting on a season where every save counts.
Buffalo’s Early Goals and Lyon’s Key Saves Secure Dominant Victory
The scoring started early in the second period. Just 33 seconds in, Jason Zucker pounced on a rebound off Jack Quinn’s wrist shot, slipping the puck past Islanders goalie David Rittich to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead. Lyon then made a crucial save on Maxim Shabanov’s breakaway, keeping the momentum firmly on Buffalo’s side.
Later in the period, Thompson converted a behind-the-net feed from Zach Benson into a 2-0 lead, an empty-net finish that emphasized the Sabres’ opportunistic play. Zucker added his second goal of the game within the first half of the third period, and Buffalo’s offensive firepower didn’t stop there. Dahlin and Alex Tuch added late empty-net goals, completing the 5-0 rout.
Alex Lyon (NHL)It wasn’t just about scoring. Lyon’s performance included key saves in high-pressure situations, especially during the Islanders’ power plays. He gloved Simon Holmstrom’s wrist shot and blocked Bo Horvat moments later, preserving the Sabres’ lead and frustrating New York’s offensive efforts. The composure Lyon showed reflected his dedication and preparation, earning praise from teammates and coaches alike.
“Whenever we need a big save, he steps up,” Samuelsson said. Lyon’s steady presence gave the team confidence and allowed Buffalo to play with control, even during brief lapses in intensity.
Islanders Struggle to Recover While Buffalo Builds Momentum and Dominates Playoff Contention
David Rittich made 16 saves for the Islanders, but the team struggled to convert opportunities. Patrick Roy, the Islanders’ coach, noted that the second Buffalo goal shifted momentum, impacting the team’s performance for the rest of the game. To send a message, Roy benched Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, and Anthony Duclair for the third period, emphasizing accountability and backchecking responsibilities.
Bo Horvat returned to the lineup after nine games out with a lower-body injury. Though he logged nearly 20 minutes and had four shots, he finished minus-2. “I wish I could have been a difference-maker tonight,” Horvat said.
Buffalo’s performance reflected the team’s current form: they have won three straight games and 18 of their last 22 contests. Coach Lindy Ruff praised the team’s ability to refocus after lapses and avoid letting the opposition dictate the pace. “We talked about that after the second period, to just get back to playing winning hockey,” Ruff said.
With Lyon anchoring the net and key contributors like Zucker, Thompson, Tuch, and Dahlin producing offensively, the Sabres are building momentum at a critical stage of the season. Their blend of consistency, depth, and goaltending excellence positions Buffalo as a formidable contender, while the Islanders are left to regroup after their first shutout loss of the season.
