BOSTON – From coaching camp scrimmages to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon all the time feels some pregame jitters, and Thursday was no exception as he ready for a pivotal Game 3 towards the Boston Bruins.
“Sometimes in practice I get really nervous. That’s just part of who I am,” the nine-year veteran mentioned. “But it’s fun, too. I’ve learned to deal with it and kind of enjoy that part a little bit and not let it deter me at all.”
Lyon was actually undeterred in Game 3 on Thursday at TD Garden, stopping 24 of 25 pictures to guide the Sabres to a 3-1 win. Buffalo now leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1.
It was Lyon’s first begin since he allowed three targets in six minutes (and was pulled) on April 4 in Washington. In the three weeks since, he’d strained a muscle throughout a morning skate, missed the tip of the common season and made a third-period aid look in Tuesday’s Game 2 loss. Think again to Dec. 9 in Edmonton or (*3*), and it’s clear that the 33-year-old would not present rust after lengthy layoffs.
“I think getting in for a few minutes of the last game was really helpful,” Lyon mentioned. “Before that, it was probably two weeks since I had played, so just to get the feel of the game. And I think that set me up nicely for today.”
“Nothing we aren’t used to,” added Bowen Byram, who had a aim and an help, of his goalie’s efficiency. “You come to just expect it from [Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen] and Lyon. They’ve been making huge saves for us all year and keeping us in games when we need them to.”
