The Buffalo Sabres continue to struggle on the road and after blowing a two-goal lead against the Utah Mammoth, were back on the ice against the Colorado Avalanche. Fans didn't really expect much as the Avalanche are one of the better teams in the league but no one expected for the first few minutes to play out like they did, which included pulling Alex Lyon.
It didn't take long for the Avalanche to get the lead as they scored the first goal of the game inside the opening minute of the first period. The Avalanche would add a second goal at the six minute mark that forced Lindy Ruff to make a drastic decision that unfortunately cost Lyon the remainder of the game.
After giving up two goals on only three shots, Ruff decided to pull Lyon and replace him with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. However, it is tough to blame Lyon for either goal as he wasn't getting much help in front of him.
The first goal was a clear breakdown on defense that allowed Martin Necas to have a breakaway and score the opening goal. As for the second goal, maybe there can be some criticism in that he didn't control the rebound but again, there were issues in front of him that allowed it to get to that point.
Lindy Ruff needed time to settle the Buffalo Sabres down and that is why he pulled Alex Lyon
After the game, Ruff was asked about the decision and said, "Taking the goalie was to buy me some time to talk to the team for a second and get organized."
The Sabres' head coach was asked a follow-up question about the decision and if it had anything to do with Lyon. "I told him that when he came off the ice. It was to buy some time and shake the other guys up."
Alex Lyon has clearly been the team's best goalie this season, so it was certainly a risk to make that move as early as he did. However, it seemed to work because the Sabres did get back into the game and after one period, the score was 3-2. They even tied it up in the second period off a power play goal by Tage Thompson.
Unfortunately, as soon as the Sabres tied it up, the Avalanche responded with a goal less than two minutes later and never looked back. They would go on to win 6-3 with an empty-net goal, all but sealing the win with about two minutes left in regulation.
There is no question that the Buffalo Sabres have several issues, but Alex Lyon hasn't been one of them. The team should go right back to him on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings, as he gives them their best chance to win and end this losing streak.