4 must-watch players as the Buffalo Sabres look to steal a win over the Panthers

The Buffalo Sabres are going to be looking for their second win of the season and these four players have some of the most intrigue around them entering this game.
Oct 13, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA;  Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images | Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
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Alex Lyon

There is no question that Alex Lyon has been a bright spot for the Buffalo Sabres to begin the season. They certainly had concerns about the position, and those concerns only grew when Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was going to miss the start of the regular season due to injury.

However, Lyon has been incredible in net for the Buffalo Sabres and should once again get the start against the Panthers. Through five games, he has allowed an average of 3.05 goals against per game with a save percentage of .911, but no goalie has been asked to do more as he has faced the most shots in the entire league at 135.

For Lyon, this game will undoubtedly mean a little more as he is going up against his former team and was a big reason they made the playoffs during the 2022-23 season. He would be called up from the AHL and start their final eight regular season games in place of Sergei Bobrovsky, who was dealing with an illness.

Lyon would be one of the big reasons for the Panthers making the playoffs, as he went 6-1-1 over that time period. There wouldn't be anything better for him to show his former team that he is still a very good goaltender when given the chance.

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